Stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides

ABSTRACT

The invention provides novel polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides and mutants or variants thereof that correspond to a novel human and mouse secreted stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide. These polynucleotides comprise nucleic acid sequences isolated from cDNA libraries prepared from mouse bone marrow and human fetal liver spleen, ovary, adult brain, lung tumor, spinal cord, cervix, ovary, endothelial cells, umbilical cord, placental, lymphocyte, lung fibroblast, fetal brain, and testis. Other aspects of the invention include vectors containing processes for producing novel human secreted stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides, and antibodies specific for such polypeptides.

This application is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/US00/35260, filed Dec. 23, 2000.

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 Technical Field

The present invention provides novel polynucleotides and proteins encoded by such polynucleotides, along with uses for these polynucleotides and proteins, for example in therapeutic, diagnostic and research methods. In particular, the invention relates to a novel stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide.

1.2 Background Art

Identified polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences have numerous applications in, for example, diagnostics, forensics, gene mapping, identification of mutations responsible for genetic disorders or other traits, to assess biodiversity, and to produce many other types of data and products dependent on DNA and amino acid sequences. Proteins are known to have biological activity, for example, by virtue of their secreted nature in the case of leader sequence cloning, by virtue of their cell or tissue source in the case of PCR-based techniques, or by virtue of structural similarity to other genes of known biological activity. It is to these polypeptides and the polynucleotides encoding them that the present invention is directed. In particular, this invention is directed to novel stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides and polynucleotides.

Stem cells are defined as cells with the capacity for unlimited or prolonged self-renewal that can produce at least one type of highly differentiated descendent. It is believed that between the stem cells and its terminally differentiated progeny there is an intermediate population of committed progenitors with limited capacity and restricted differentiation potential [Watt and Hogan, Science, 287:1427-1430 (2000)]. Embryonic stem cell division and differentiation give rise to all the differentiated cells and organs of a multicellular organism. A reserve of stem cells is maintained during the adult life of an organism in order to replenish the terminally differentiated cell populations like hematopoietic cells. It is generally assumed that the adult stem cells are derived from the embryonic stem cells and have only a limited potential for differentiation. Stem cells in general have been extremely difficult to culture and maintain in vitro, let alone directing them on a predetermined differentiation pathway.

However, more recently new research have shown that the adult stem cells do possess much wider potential for differentiation than previously thought. It was shown that adult neural stem cells when transplanted in an irradiated host, were able to populate the bone marrow and give rise to myeloid, lymphoid and early hematopoietic cells [Bjornson et al, Science, 283:534-537 (1999)]. Also, for the first time, researchers have been able to culture human embryonic stem cells in vitro. The authors showed that human blastocyst cells can be cultured for a prolonged time and could differentiate into variety of different cell types [Thomson et al, Science, 282:1145-1147 (1998)]. This result has opened the door for using autologous transplantation and organ regeneration for treatment of organ failures and degenerative diseases. Precise interactions of multiple receptors on the stem cells with soluble and stromal cell-expressed factors are required for a stem cell to divide and commit to differentiation. It has become apparent that the tissue niches and the microenvironment providing the factors are of the utmost importance. Cytokines like IL-3, IL-6, IL-7, and soluble proteins like flt-3, erythropoietin, and stem cell factor, all have been shown to act in concert to achieve differentiation down a specific pathway. It is thought precise combinations of growth factors, cytokines, and tissue localization could give rise to different differentiated stem cells populations.

Thus, the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention may be used to induce differentiation of embryonic and adult stem cells to give rise to different cell types. They may also be used in the treatment of leukemia, hemophilia, and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. The polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention may further be utilized to generate new tissues and organs that may aid patients in need of transplanted tissues.

2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is based on the discovery of novel stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides, novel isolated polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, including recombinant DNA molecules, cloned genes or degenerate variants thereof, especially naturally occurring variants such as allelic variants, antisense polynucleotide molecules, and antibodies that specifically recognize one or more epitopes present on such polypeptides, as well as hybridomas producing such antibodies. Specifically, the polynucleotides of the present invention are based on polynucleotides isolated from cDNA libraries prepared from mouse femoral bone and human fetal liver spleen, ovary, adult brain, lung tumor, spinal cord, cervix, ovary, endothelial cells, umbilical cord, placenta, lymphocyte, lung fibroblast, fetal brain, and testis. The compositions of the present invention additionally include vectors such as expression vectors containing the polynucleotides of the invention, cells genetically engineered to contain such polynucleotides, and cells genetically engineered to express polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides.

The compositions of the invention provide isolated polynucleotides that include, but are not limited to, a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39; or a fragment thereof, a polynucleotide comprising the fall length protein coding sequence thereof (for example, SEQ ID NO: 28, 30-32, 34, 38 or 40), and a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the mature protein coding sequence thereof. The polynucleotides of the present invention also include, but are not limited to, a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to (a) the complement of any of the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39; (b) a nucleotide sequence encoding any of SEQ ID NO: 23, 25, 28, 30-32, 34-35, 38 or 40; a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of any polynucleotides recited above having at least 70% polynucleotide sequence identity to the polynucleotides; a polynucleotide which encodes a species homolog (e.g. orthologs) of any of the peptides recited above; or a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising a specific domain or truncation of the polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 23, 25, 28, 31, 38 or 40.

A collection as used in this application can be a collection of only one polynucleotide. The collection of sequence information or unique identifying information of each sequence can be provided on a nucleic acid array. In one embodiment, segments of sequence information are provided on a nucleic acid array to detect the polynucleotide that contains the segment. The array can be designed to detect full-match or mismatch to the polynucleotide that contains the segment. The collection can also be provided in a computer-readable format.

This invention further provides cloning or expression vectors comprising at least a fragment of a polynucleotide set forth above and host cells or organisms transformed with these expression vectors. Useful vectors include plasmids, cosmids, lambda phage derivatives, phagemids, and the like, that are well known in the art. Accordingly, the invention also provides a vector including a polynucleotide of the invention and a host cell containing the polynucleotide. In general, the vector contains an origin of replication functional in at least one organism, convenient restriction endonuclease sites, and a selectable marker for the host cell. Vectors according to the invention include expression vectors, replication vectors, probe generation vectors, and sequencing vectors. A host cell according to the invention can be a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell and can be a unicellular organism or part of a multicellular organism.

The compositions of the present invention include polypeptides comprising, but not limited to, an isolated polypeptide selected from the group comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28, 30-32, 34, 38 or 40; and/or the corresponding full length or mature protein. Polypeptides of the invention also include polypeptides with biological activity that are encoded by (a) any of the polynucleotides having a nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39; or (b) polynucleotides that hybridize to the complement of the polynucleotides of (a) under stringent hybridization conditions. Biologically or immunologically active variants of any of the protein sequences listed as SEQ ID NO: 28, 30-32, 34, 38 or 40 and substantial equivalents thereof that retain biological or immunological activity are also contemplated. The polypeptides of the invention may be wholly or partially chemically synthesized but are preferably produced by recombinant means using the genetically engineered cells (e.g. host cells) of the invention.

The invention also provides compositions comprising a polypeptide of the invention. Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may comprise a polypeptide of the invention and an acceptable carrier, such as a hydrophilic, e.g., pharmaceutically acceptable, carrier. The invention also relates to methods for producing a polypeptide of the invention comprising culturing host cells comprising an expression vector containing at least a fragment of a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of the invention in a suitable culture medium under conditions permitting expression of the desired polypeptide, and purifying the protein or peptide from the culture or from the host cells. Preferred embodiments include those in which the protein produced by such a process is a mature form of the protein.

Polynucleotides according to the invention have numerous applications in a variety of techniques known to those skilled in the art of molecular biology. These techniques include use as hybridization probes, use as oligomers, or primers, for PCR, use in an array, use in computer-readable media, use for chromosome and gene mapping, use in the recombinant production of protein, and use in generation of antisense DNA or RNA, their chemical analogs and the like. For example, when the expression of an mRNA is largely restricted to a particular cell or tissue type, polynucleotides of the invention can be used as hybridization probes to detect the presence of the particular cell or tissue mRNA in a sample using, e.g., in situ hybridization.

In other exemplary embodiments, the polynucleotides are used in diagnostics as expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for identifying expressed genes or, as well known in the art and exemplified by Vollrath et al., Science, 258:52-59 (1992), as expressed sequence tags for physical mapping of the human genome.

The polypeptides according to the invention can be used in a variety of conventional procedures and methods that are currently applied to other proteins. For example, a polypeptide of the invention can be used to generate an antibody that specifically binds the polypeptide. Such antibodies, particularly monoclonal antibodies, are useful for detecting or quantitating the polypeptide in tissue. The polypeptides of the invention can also be used as molecular weight markers, and as a food supplement.

Methods are also provided for preventing, treating, or ameliorating a medical condition associated with abundant expression/activity of a polypeptide of the invention which comprises the step of administering to a mammalian subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a peptide of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In particular, the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention may be used to induce differentiation of embryonic and adult stem cells to give rise to different cell types. They may also be used in the treatment of diseases, for example, leukemia, hemophilia, and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. The polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention may further be utilized to generate new tissues and organs that may aid patients in need of transplanted tissues.

The methods of the invention also provide methods for the treatment of disorders as recited herein which comprise the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a polynucleotide or polypeptide of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a mammalian subject exhibiting symptoms or tendencies related to disorders as recited herein. In addition, the invention encompasses methods for treating diseases or disorders as recited herein comprising the step of administering a composition comprising compounds and other substances that modulate the overall activity of the target gene products and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Compounds and other substances can effect such modulation either on the level of target gene/protein expression or target protein activity. Specifically, methods are provided for preventing, treating or ameliorating a medical condition, including viral diseases, which comprises administering to a mammalian subject, including but not limited to humans, a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a polypeptide of the invention or a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a binding partner of (e.g., antibody specifically reactive for) stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides of the invention. The mechanics of the particular condition or pathology will dictate whether the polypeptides of the invention or binding partners (or inhibitors) of these would be beneficial to the individual in need of treatment.

According to this method, polypeptides of the invention can be administered to produce an in vitro or in vivo inhibition of cellular function. A polypeptide of the invention can be administered in vivo alone or as an adjunct to other therapies. Conversely, protein or other active ingredients of the present invention may be included in formulations of a particular agent to minimize side effects of such an agent.

The invention further provides methods for manufacturing medicaments useful in the above-described methods.

The present invention further relates to methods for detecting the presence of the polynucleotides or polypeptides of the invention in a sample (e.g., tissue or sample). Such methods can, for example, be utilized as part of prognostic and diagnostic evaluation of disorders as recited herein and for the identification of subjects exhibiting a predisposition to such conditions.

The invention provides a method for detecting a polypeptide of the invention in a sample comprising contacting the sample with a compound that binds to and forms a complex with the polypeptide under conditions and for a period sufficient to form the complex and detecting formation of the complex, so that if a complex is formed, the polypeptide is detected.

The invention also provides kits comprising polynucleotide probes and/or monoclonal antibodies, and optionally quantitative standards, for carrying out methods of the invention. Furthermore, the invention provides methods for evaluating the efficacy of drugs, and monitoring the progress of patients, involved in clinical trials for the treatment of disorders as recited above.

The invention also provides methods for the identification of compounds that modulate (i.e., increase or decrease) the expression or activity of the polynucleotides and/or polypeptides of the invention. Such methods can be utilized, for example, for the identification of compounds that can ameliorate symptoms of disorders as recited herein. Such methods can include, but are not limited to, assays for identifying compounds and other substances that interact with (e.g., bind to) the polypeptides of the invention.

The invention provides a method for identifying a compound that binds to the polypeptide of the present invention comprising contacting the compound with the polypeptide under conditions and for a time sufficient to form a polypeptide/compound complex and detecting the complex, so that if the polypeptide/compound complex is detected, a compound that binds to the polypeptide is identified.

Also provided is a method for identifying a compound that binds to the polypeptide comprising contacting the compound with the polypeptide in a cell for a time sufficient to form a polypeptide/compound complex wherein the complex drives expression of a reporter gene sequence in the cell and detecting the complex by detecting reporter gene sequence expression so that if the polypeptide/compound complex is detected a compound that binds to the polypeptide is identified.

3. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B show the schematic alignment of SEQ ID NO: 22 with SEQ ID NO. 1-21.

FIGS. 2A-2B show the BLASTX amino acid sequence alignment between stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide SEQ ID NO: 28 and tumor endothelial marker 7 precursor protein SEQ ID NO: 36 (St. Croix et al, Science, 289, 1197-1201), indicating that the two sequences share 72% similarity over 441 amino acid residues and 57% identity over the same 441 amino acid residues, wherein A=Alanine, C=Cysteine, D=Aspartic Acid, E=Glutamic Acid, F=Phenylalanine, G=Glycine, H=Histidine, I=Isoleucine, K=Lysine, L=Leucine, M=Methionine, N=Asparagine, P=Proline, Q=Glutamine, R=Arginine, S=Serine, T=Threonine, V=Valine, W=Tryptophan, Y=Tyrosine. Gaps are presented as dashes.

FIGS. 3A-3M shows a BLASTN nucleotide sequence alignment between the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27 and the compliment of SEQ ID NO: 22 and SEQ ID NO: 24.

FIGS. 4A and 4B shows an increase in total cell count and colony number of hematopoietic stem cells caused by supernatants from stromal cells expressing stem cell factor-like polypeptide.

FIGS. 5A and 5B shows an increase in total cell count and colony number of hematopoietic stem cells caused by stem cell factor-like polypeptide expressing stromal cells.

FIG. 6 shows the colony forming ability of CD34 positive hematopoietic stem cells cocultured with AGM-s3-A9 cells expressing the mouse #2728 gene for 2 weeks.

FIG. 7 shows the colony forming ability of CD34 positive hematopoietic stem cells cocultured with AGM-s3-A7 cells expressing the human #2728 gene for 2 weeks.

FIGS. 8A and 8B shows that the animals transplanted with hematopoietic stem cells cocultured with AGM-s3-A9 cells expressing the #2728 gene showed chimerism at higher rate compared with ones transplanted hematopoietic stem cells cocultured with AGM-S3-A9 cells without the #2728 gene or with the cells expressing control vector alone.

FIGS. 9A and 9B shows co-culture of hematopoietic stem cells with vector- and SCF-2-transduced stromal cells-(2).

FIGS. 10A and 10B shows hematopoietic stem cells supplied with culture supplied from vector- or SCF-2-transduced stromal cells.

4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 28 is an approximately 529-amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of approximately 59.2-kDa unglycosylated. Protein database searches with the BLASTP algorithm [Altschul S. F. et al., J. Mol. Evol., 36:290-300 (1993) and Altschul S. F. et al., J. Mol. Biol., 21:403-10 (1990), herein incorporated by reference] indicate that SEQ ID NO: 28 is homologous to tumor endothelial marker 7 precursor protein.

FIG. 2 shows the BLASTX amino acid sequence alignment between the protein encoded by stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide SEQ ID NO: 28 and tumor endothelial marker 7 precursor protein SEQ ID NO: 36 [St. Croix et al, Science, 289:1197-1201], indicating that the two sequences share 72% similarity over 441 amino acid residues and 57% identity over the same 441 amino acid residues.

A predicted approximately thirty-residue signal peptide is encoded from approximately residue 1 through residue 30 of SEQ ID NO: 28 (the signal peptide is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 30). The extracellular portion is useful on its own. This can be confirmed by expression in mammalian cells and sequencing of the cleaved product. The signal peptide region was predicted using Neural Network SignalP V 1.1 program [Nielsen et al, Int. J. Neur. Syst. 8:581 (1997)] (from Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, The Technical University of Denmark), and hydrophobicity analysis using the Kyte/Doolittle algorithm [Kyte and Doolittle, J. Mol. Biol., 157:105 (1982)]. One of skill in the art will recognize that the cleavage site may be different than that predicted by the computer program. SEQ ID NO: 31 is the resulting peptide when the signal peptide is removed from SEQ ID NO: 28.

A predicted approximately twenty eight-residue transmembrane region is encoded from approximately residue 452 through residue 479 of SEQ ID NO: 28 (the transmembrane region is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32), which may be confirmed by expression in mammalian cells. The transmembrane region was predicted using Neural Network SignalP V1.1 program [Nielsen et al, Int. J. Neur. Syst. 8:581 (1997)] (from Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, The Technical University of Denmark), and hydrophobicity analysis using the Kyte/Doolittle algorithm [Kyte and Doolittle, J. Mol. Biol. 157:105 (1982)]. One of skill in the art will recognize that the transmembrane region may be different than that predicted by the computer program.

The stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 25 (identical to SEQ ID NO: 23) is an approximately 392-amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of approximately 50 kDa unglycosylated. Protein database searches with the BLASTP algorithm [Altschul S.F. et al., J. Mol. Evol. 36:290-300 (1993) and Altschul S. F. et al., J. Mol. Biol., 21:403-10 (1990), herein incorporated by reference] indicate that SEQ ID NO: 25 is homologous to tumor endothelial marker 7 precursor protein.

A predicted approximately twenty eight-residue transmembrane region is encoded from approximately residue 315 through residue 342 of SEQ ID NO: 25 (SEQ ID NO: 32). It may be confirmed by expression in mammalian cells. The transmembrane region was predicted using Neural Network SignalP V1.1 program [Nielsen et al, Int. J. Neur. Syst., 8:581 (1997) (from Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, The Technical University of Denmark)], and hydrophobicity analysis using the Kyte/Doolittle algorithm [Kyte and Doolittle, J. Mol. Biol., 157:105 (1982)]. One of skill in the art will recognize that the transmembrane region may be different than that predicted by the computer program.

In particular, the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention may be used to induce differentiation of embryonic and adult stem cells to give rise to different cell types. They may also be used in the treatment of leukemia, hemophilia, and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. The polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention may further be utilized to generate new tissues and organs that may aid patients in need of transplanted tissues.

4.1 Definitions

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The term “active” refers to those forms of the polypeptide that retain the biologic and/or immunologic activities of any naturally occurring polypeptide. According to the invention, the terms “biologically active” or “biological activity” refer to a protein or peptide having structural, regulatory or biochemical functions of a naturally occurring molecule. Likewise “biologically active” or “biological activity” refers to the capability of the natural, recombinant or synthetic stem cell growth factor-like peptide, or any peptide thereof, to induce a specific biological response in appropriate animals or cells and to bind with specific antibodies. The term “stem cell growth factor-like biological activity” refers to biological activity that is similar to the biological activity of a stem cell growth factor-like as described herein.

The term “activated cells” as used herein are those cells which are engaged in extracellular or intracellular membrane trafficking, including the export of secretory or enzymatic molecules as part of a normal or disease process.

The terms “complementary” or “complementarity” refer to the natural binding (i.e., hybridization) of polynucleotides by base pairing. For example, the sequence 5′-AGT-3′ binds to the complementary sequence 3′-TCA-5′. Complementarity between two single-stranded molecules may be “partial” such that only some of the nucleic acids bind or it may be “complete” such that total complementarity exists between the single stranded molecules. The degree of complementarity between the nucleic acid strands has significant effects on the efficiency and strength of the hybridization between the nucleic acid strands.

The term “embryonic stem cells (ES)” refers to a cell that can give rise to many differentiated cell types in an embryo or an adult, including the germ cells. The term “germ line stem cells (GSCs)” refers to stem cells derived from primordial stem cells that provide a steady and continuous source of germ cells for the production of gametes. The term “primordial germ cells (PGCs)” refers to a small population of cells set aside from other cell lineages particularly from the yolk sac, mesenteries, or gonadal ridges during embryogenesis that have the potential to differentiate into germ cells and other cells. PGCs are the source from which GSCs and ES cells are derived The PGCs, the GSCs and the ES cells are capable of self-renewal. Thus, these cells not only populate the germ line and give rise to a plurality of terminally differentiated cells that comprise the adult specialized organs, but are able to regenerate themselves. The term “totipotent” refers to the capability of a cell to differentiate into all of the cell types of an adult organism. The term “pluripotent” refers to the capability of a cell to differentiate into a number of differentiated cell types that are present in an adult organism. A pluripotent cell is restricted in its differentiation capability in comparison to a totipotent cell.

The term “expression modulating fragment,” EMF, means a series of nucleotides that modulates the expression of an operably linked open reading frame (ORF) or another EMF.

As used herein, a sequence is said to “modulate the expression of an operably linked sequence” when the expression of the sequence is altered by the presence of the EMF. EMFs include, but are not limited to, promoters, and promoter modulating sequences (inducible elements). One class of EMFs is nucleic acid fragments which induce the expression of an operably linked ORF in response to a specific regulatory factor or physiological event.

The terms “nucleotide sequence” or “nucleic acid” or “polynucleotide” or “oligonculeotide” are used interchangeably and refer to a heteropolymer of nucleotides or the sequence of these nucleotides. These phrases also refer to DNA or RNA of genomic or synthetic origin which may be single-stranded or double-stranded and may represent the sense or the antisense strand, to peptide nucleic acid (PNA) or to any DNA-like or RNA-like material. In the sequences, A is adenine, C is cytosine, G is guanine, and T is thymine, while N is A, T, G, or C. It is contemplated that where the polynucleotide is RNA, the T (thymine) in the sequence herein may be replaced with U (uracil). Generally, nucleic acid segments provided by this invention may be assembled from fragments of the genome and short oligonucleotide linkers, or from a series of oligonucleotides, or from individual nucleotides, to provide a synthetic nucleic acid which is capable of being expressed in a recombinant transcriptional unit comprising regulatory elements derived from a microbial or viral operon, or a eukaryotic gene.

The terms “oligonucleotide fragment” or a “polynucleotide fragment”, “portion,” or “segment” or “probe” or “primer” are used interchangeably and refer to a sequence of nucleotide residues which are at least about 5 nucleotides, more preferably at least about 7 nucleotides, more preferably at least about 9 nucleotides, more preferably at least about 11 nucleotides and most preferably at least about 17 nucleotides. The fragment is preferably less than about 500 nucleotides, preferably less than about 200 nucleotides, more preferably less than about 100 nucleotides, more preferably less than about 50 nucleotides and most preferably less than 30 nucleotides. Preferably the probe is from about 6 nucleotides to about 200 nucleotides, preferably from about 15 to about 50 nucleotides, more preferably from about 17 to 30 nucleotides and most preferably from about 20 to 25 nucleotides. Preferably the fragments can be used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR), various hybridization procedures or microarray procedures to identify or amplify identical or related parts of mRNA or DNA molecules. A fragment or segment may uniquely identify each polynucleotide sequence of the present invention. Preferably the fragment comprises a sequence substantially similar to a portion of SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39.

Probes may, for example, be used to determine whether specific RNA or mRNA molecules are present in a cell or tissue or to isolate similar nucleic acid sequences from chromosomal DNA as described by Walsh et al. [Walsh, P. S. et al., PCR Methods Appl 1:241-250 (1992)]. They may be labeled by nick translation, Klenow fill-in reaction, PCR, or other methods well known in the art. Probes of the present invention, their preparation and/or labeling are elaborated in Sambrook, J. et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY; or Ausubel, F. M. et al., 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, New York N.Y., both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention also include the sequence information from any of the nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39. The sequence information can be a segment of SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 that uniquely identifies or represents the sequence information of SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39. One such segment can be a twenty-mer nucleic acid sequence because the probability that a twenty-mer is fully matched in the human genome is 1 in 300. In the human genome, there are three billion base pairs in one set of chromosomes. Because 42²⁰ possible twenty-mers exist, there are 300 times more twenty-mers than there are base pairs in a set of human chromosomes. Using the same analysis, the probability for a seventeen-mer to be fully matched in the human genome is approximately 1 in 5. When these segments are used in arrays for expression studies, fifteen-mer segments can be used. The probability that the fifteen-mer is fully matched in the expressed sequences is also approximately one in five because expressed sequences comprise less than approximately 5% of the entire genome sequence.

Similarly, when using sequence information for detecting a single mismatch, a segment can be a twenty-five mer. The probability that the twenty-five mer would appear in a human genome with a single mismatch is calculated by multiplying the probability for a full match (1÷4²⁵) times the increased probability for mismatch at each nucleotide position (3×25). The probability that an eighteen mer with a single mismatch can be detected in an array for expression studies is approximately one in five. The probability that a twenty-mer with a single mismatch can be detected in a human genome is approximately one in five.

The term “open reading frame,” ORF, means a series of nucleotide triplets coding for amino acids with a single termination codon and is a sequence translatable into protein.

The terms “operably linked” or “operably associated” refer to functionally related nucleic acid sequences. For example, a promoter is operably associated or operably linked with a coding sequence if the promoter controls the transcription of the coding sequence. While operably linked nucleic acid sequences can be contiguous and in the same reading frame, certain genetic elements e.g. repressor genes are not contiguously linked to the coding sequence but still control transcription/translation of the coding sequence.

The term “pluripotent” refers to the capability of a cell to differentiate into a number of differentiated cell types that are present in an adult organism. A pluripotent cell is restricted in its differentiation capability in comparison to a totipotent cell.

The terms “polypeptide” or “peptide” or “amino acid sequence” refer to an oligopeptide, peptide, polypeptide or protein sequence or fragment thereof and to naturally occurring or synthetic molecules. A polypeptide “fragment,” “portion,” or “segment” is a stretch of amino acid residues of at least about 5 amino acids, preferably at least about 7 amino acids, more preferably at least about 9 amino acids and most preferably at least about 17 or more amino acids. The peptide preferably is not greater than about 200 amino acids, more preferably less than 150 amino acids and most preferably less than 100 amino acids. Preferably the peptide is from about 5 to about 200 amino acids. To be active, any polypeptide must have sufficient length to display biological and/or immunological activity.

The term “naturally occurring polypeptide” refers to polypeptides produced by cells that have not been genetically engineered and specifically contemplates various polypeptides arising from post-translational modifications of the polypeptide including, but not limited to, acetylation, carboxylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, lipidation and acylation.

The term “translated protein coding portion” means a sequence which encodes for the full length protein which may include any leader sequence or a processing sequence.

The term “mature protein coding sequence” refers to a sequence which encodes a peptide or protein without any leader/signal sequence. The “mature protein portion” refers to that portion of the protein without the leader/signal sequence. The peptide may have the leader sequences removed during processing in the cell or the protein may have been produced synthetically or using a polynucleotide only encoding for the mature protein coding sequence. It is contemplated that the mature protein portion may or may not include an initial methionine residue. The initial methionine is often removed during processing of the peptide.

The term “derivative” refers to polypeptides chemically modified by such techniques as ubiquitination, labeling (e.g., with radionuclides or various enzymes), covalent polymer attachment such as pegylation (derivatization with polyethylene glycol) and insertion or substitution by chemical synthesis of amino acids such as ornithine, which do not normally occur in human proteins.

The term “variant” (or “analog”) refers to any polypeptide differing from naturally occurring polypeptides by amino acid insertions, deletions, and substitutions, created using, e g., recombinant DNA techniques. Guidance in determining which amino acid residues may be replaced, added or deleted without abolishing activities of interest, may be found by comparing the sequence of the particular polypeptide with that of homologous peptides and minimizing the number of amino acid sequence changes made in regions of high homology (conserved regions) or by replacing amino acids with consensus sequence.

Alternatively, recombinant variants encoding these same or similar polypeptides may be synthesized or selected by making use of the “redundancy” in the genetic code. Various codon substitutions, such as the silent changes which produce various restriction sites, may be introduced to optimize cloning into a plasmid or viral vector or expression in a particular prokaryotic or eukaryotic system. Mutations in the polynucleotide sequence may be reflected in the polypeptide or domains of other peptides added to the polypeptide to modify the properties of any part of the polypeptide, to change characteristics such as ligand-binding affinities, interchain affinities, or degradation/turnover rate.

Preferably, amino acid “substitutions” are the result of replacing one amino acid with another amino acid having similar structural and/or chemical properties, i.e., conservative amino acid replacements. “Conservative” amino acid substitutions may be made on the basis of similarity in polarity, charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and/or the amphipathic nature of the residues involved. For example, nonpolar (hydrophobic) amino acids include alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and methionine; polar neutral amino acids include glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, and glutamine; positively charged (basic) amino acids include arginine, lysine, and histidine; and negatively charged (acidic) amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid. “Insertions” or “deletions” are preferably in the range of about 1 to 20 amino acids, more preferably 1 to 10 amino acids. The variation allowed may be experimentally determined by systematically making insertions, deletions, or substitutions of amino acids in a polypeptide molecule using recombinant DNA techniques and assaying the resulting recombinant variants for activity.

Alternatively, where alteration of function is desired, insertions, deletions or non-conservative alterations can be engineered to produce altered polypeptides. Such alterations can, for example, alter one or more of the biological functions or biochemical characteristics of the polypeptides of the invention. For example, such alterations may change polypeptide characteristics such as ligand-binding affinities, interchain affinities, or degradation/turnover rate. Further, such alterations can be selected so as to generate polypeptides that are better suited for expression, scale up and the like in the host cells chosen for expression. For example, cysteine residues can be deleted or substituted with another amino acid residue in order to eliminate disulfide bridges.

The terms “purified” or “substantially purified” as used herein denotes that the indicated nucleic acid or polypeptide is present in the substantial absence of other biological macromolecules, e.g., polynucleotides, proteins, and the like. In one embodiment, the polynucleotide or polypeptide is purified such that it constitutes at least 95% by weight, more preferably at least 99% by weight, of the indicated biological macromolecules present (but water, buffers, and other small molecules, especially molecules having a molecular weight of less than 1000 daltons, can be present).

The term “isolated” as used herein refers to a nucleic acid or polypeptide separated from at least one other component (e.g., nucleic acid or polypeptide) present with the nucleic acid or polypeptide in its natural source. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid or polypeptide is found in the presence of (if anything) only a solvent, buffer, ion, or other components normally present in a solution of the same. The terms “isolated” and “purified” do not encompass nucleic acids or polypeptides present in their natural source.

The term “recombinant,” when used herein to refer to a polypeptide or protein, means that a polypeptide or protein is derived from recombinant (e.g., microbial, insect, or mammalian) expression systems. “Microbial” refers to recombinant polypeptides or proteins made in bacterial or fungal (e.g., yeast) expression systems. As a product, “recombinant microbial” defines a polypeptide or protein essentially free of native endogenous substances and unaccompanied by associated native glycosylation. Polypeptides or proteins expressed in most bacterial cultures, e.g., E. coli, will be free of glycosylation modifications; polypeptides or proteins expressed in yeast will have a glycosylation pattern in general different from those expressed in mammalian cells.

The term “recombinant expression vehicle or vector” refers to a plasmid or phage or virus or vector, for expressing a polypeptide from a DNA (RNA) sequence. An expression vehicle can comprise a transcriptional unit comprising an assembly of (1) a genetic element or elements having a regulatory role in gene expression, for example, promoters or enhancers, (2) a structural or coding sequence which is transcribed into mRNA and translated into protein, and (3) appropriate transcription initiation and termination sequences. Structural units intended for use in yeast or eukaryotic expression systems preferably include a leader sequence enabling extracellular secretion of translated protein by a host cell. Alternatively, where recombinant protein is expressed without a leader or transport sequence, it may include an amino terminal methionine residue. This residue may or may not be subsequently cleaved from the expressed recombinant protein to provide a final product.

The term “recombinant expression system” means host cells which have stably integrated a recombinant transcriptional unit into chromosomal DNA or carry the recombinant transcriptional unit extrachromosomally. Recombinant expression systems as defined herein will express heterologous polypeptides or proteins upon induction of the regulatory elements linked to the DNA segment or synthetic gene to be expressed. This term also means host cells which have stably integrated a recombinant genetic element or elements having a regulatory role in gene expression, for example, promoters or enhancers. Recombinant expression systems as defined herein will express polypeptides or proteins endogenous to the cell upon induction of the regulatory elements linked to the endogenous DNA segment or gene to be expressed. The cells can be prokaryotic or eukaryotic.

The term “secreted” includes a protein that is transported across or through a membrane, including transport as a result of signal sequences in its amino acid sequence when it is expressed in a suitable host cell. “Secreted” proteins include without limitation proteins secreted wholly (e.g., soluble proteins) or partially (e.g., receptors) from the cell in which they are expressed. “Secreted” proteins also include without limitation proteins that are transported across the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. “Secreted” proteins are also intended to include proteins containing non-typical signal sequences (e.g. Interleukin-1 Beta, see Krasney, P. A. and Young, P. R., Cytokine, 4(2):134-143 (1992)) and factors released from damaged cells (e.g. Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist, see Arend, W. P. et. al., Annu. Rev. Immunol., 16:27-55 (1998)).

Where desired, an expression vector may be designed to contain a “signal or leader sequence” which will direct the polypeptide through the membrane of a cell. Such a sequence may be naturally present on the polypeptides of the present invention or provided from heterologous protein sources by recombinant DNA techniques.

The term “stringent” is used to refer to conditions that are commonly understood in the art as stringent. Stringent conditions can include highly stringent conditions (i.e., hybridization to filter-bound DNA in 0.5 M NaHPO₄, 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 1 mM EDTA at 65° C., and washing in 0.1× SSC/0.1% SDS at 68° C.), and moderately stringent conditions (i.e., washing in 0.2× SSC/0.1% SDS at 42° C.). Other exemplary hybridization conditions are described herein in the examples.

In instances of hybridization of deoxyoligonucleotides, additional exemplary stringent hybridization conditions include washing in 6× SSC/0.05% sodium pyrophosphate at 37° C. (for 14-base oligonucleotides), 48° C. (for 17-base oligonucleotides), 55° C. (for 20-base oligonucleotides), and 60° C. (for 23-base oligonucleotides).

As used herein, “substantially equivalent” can refer both to nucleotide and amino acid sequences, for example a mutant sequence, that varies from a reference sequence by one or more substitutions, deletions, or additions, the net effect of which does not result in an adverse functional dissimilarity between the reference and subject sequences. Typically, such a substantially equivalent sequence varies from one of those listed herein by no more than about 35% (i.e., the number of individual residue substitutions, additions, and/or deletions in a substantially equivalent sequence, as compared to the corresponding reference sequence, divided by the total number of residues in the substantially equivalent sequence is about 0.35 or less). Such a sequence is said to have 65% sequence identity to the listed sequence. In one embodiment, a substantially equivalent, e.g., mutant, sequence of the invention varies from a listed sequence by no more than 30% (70% sequence identity); in a variation of this embodiment, by no more than 25% (75% sequence identity); and in a further variation of this embodiment, by no more than 20% (80% sequence identity) and in a further variation of this embodiment, by no more than 10% (90% sequence identity) and in a further variation of this embodiment, by no more that 5% (95% sequence identity). Substantially equivalent, e.g., mutant, amino acid sequences according to the invention preferably have at least 80% sequence identity with a listed amino acid sequence, more preferably at least 90% sequence identity. Substantially equivalent nucleotide sequence of the invention can have lower percent sequence identities, taking into account, for example, the redundancy or degeneracy of the genetic code. Preferably, nucleotide sequence has at least about 65% identity, more preferably at least about 75% identity, and most preferably at least about 95% identity. For the purposes of the present invention, sequences having substantially equivalent biological activity and substantially equivalent expression characteristics are considered substantially equivalent. For the purposes of determining equivalence, truncation of the mature sequence (e.g., via a mutation which creates a spurious stop codon) should be disregarded. Sequence identity may be determined, e.g., using the Jotun Hein method [Hein, J., Methods Enzymol., 183:626-645 (1990)). Identity between sequences can also be determined by other methods known in the art, e.g. by varying hybridization conditions.

The term “totipotent” refers to the capability of a cell to differentiate into all of the cell types of an adult organism.

The term “transformation” means introducing DNA into a suitable host cell so that the DNA is replicable, either as an extrachromosomal element, or by chromosomal integration. The term “transfection” refers to the taking up of an expression vector by a suitable host cell, whether or not any coding sequences are in fact expressed. The term “infection” refers to the introduction of nucleic acids into a suitable host cell by use of a virus or viral vector.

As used herein, an “uptake modulating fragment,” UMF, means a series of nucleotides which mediate the uptake of a linked DNA fragment into a cell. UMFs can be readily identified using known UMFs as a target sequence or target motif with the computer-based systems described below. The presence and activity of a UMF can be confirmed by attaching the suspected UMF to a marker sequence. The resulting nucleic acid molecule is then incubated with an appropriate host under appropriate conditions and the uptake of the marker sequence is determined. As described above, a UMF will increase the frequency of uptake of a linked marker sequence.

Each of the above terms is meant to encompass all that is described for each, unless the context dictates otherwise.

4.2 Nucleic Acids of the Invention

The invention is based on the discovery of a novel stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide, the polynucleotides encoding the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide and the use of these compositions for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of cancers and other immunological disorders.

The isolated polynucleotides of the invention include, but are not limited to a polynucleotide comprising any of the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39; a fragment thereof, a polynucleotide comprising the full length protein coding sequence thereof, (for example coding for SEQ ID NO: 28, 38 or 40); and a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence encoding the mature protein coding sequence of the polynucleotides. The polynucleotides of the present invention also include, but are not limited to, a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to (a) the complement of any of the nucleotides sequences of SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39; (b) a polynucleotide encoding any one of the polypeptides of SEQ ID NO: 23, 25, 28, 30-32, 34, 35, 38 or 40;(c) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of any polynucleotides recited above; (d) a polynucleotide which encodes a species homolog of any of the proteins recited above; or (e) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising a specific domain or truncation of the polypeptides of SEQ ID NO: 23, 25, 28, 30-32, 34, 35, 38 or 40. Domains of interest may depend on the nature of the encoded polypeptide; e.g., domains in receptor-like polypeptides include ligand-binding, extracellular, transmembrane, or cytoplasmic domains, or combinations thereof; domains in immunoglobulin-like proteins include the variable immunoglobulin-like domains; domains in enzyme-like polypeptides include catalytic and substrate binding domains; and domains in ligand polypeptides include receptor-binding domains.

The polynucleotides of the invention include naturally occurring or wholly or partially synthetic DNA, e.g., cDNA and genomic DNA, and RNA, e.g., mRNA. The polynucleotides may include all of the coding region of the cDNA or may represent a portion of the coding region of the cDNA.

The present invention also provides genes corresponding to the cDNA sequences disclosed herein. The corresponding genes can be isolated in accordance with known methods using the sequence information disclosed herein. Such methods include the preparation of probes or primers from the disclosed sequence information for identification and/or amplification of genes in appropriate genomic libraries or other IS sources of genomic materials. Further 5′ and 3′ sequence can be obtained using methods known in the art. For example, full length cDNA or genomic DNA that corresponds to any of the polynucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 can be obtained by screening appropriate cDNA or genomic DNA libraries under suitable hybridization conditions using any of the polynucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 or a portion thereof as a probe. Alternatively, the polynucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 may be used as the basis for suitable primer(s) that allow identification and/or amplification of genes in appropriate genomic DNA or cDNA libraries.

The nucleic acid sequences of the invention can be assembled from ESTs and sequences (including cDNA and genomic sequences) obtained from one or more public databases, such as dbEST, gbpri, and UniGene. The EST sequences can provide identifying sequence information, representative fragment or segment information, or novel segment information for the full-length gene.

The polynucleotides of the invention also provide polynucleotides including nucleotide sequences that are substantially equivalent to the polynucleotides recited above. Polynucleotides according to the invention can have, e.g., at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, or 89%, more typically at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, or 94% and even more typically at least about 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to a polynucleotide recited above.

Included within the scope of the nucleic acid sequences of the invention are nucleic acid sequence fragments that hybridize under stringent conditions to any of the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 or complements thereof, which fragment is greater than about 5 nucleotides, preferably 7 nucleotides, more preferably greater than 9 nucleotides and most preferably greater than 17 nucleotides. Fragments of, e.g. 15, 17, or 20 nucleotides or more that are selective for (i.e. specifically hybridize to any one of the polynucleotides of the invention) are contemplated. Probes capable of specifically hybridizing to a polynucleotide can differentiate polynucleotide sequences of the invention from other polynucleotide sequences in the same family of genes or can differentiate human genes from genes of other species, and are preferably based on unique nucleotide sequences.

The sequences falling within the scope of the present invention are not limited to these specific sequences, but also include allelic and species variations thereof. Allelic and species variations can be routinely determined by comparing the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 a representative fragment thereof, or a nucleotide sequence at least 90% identical, preferably 95% identical, to SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 with a sequence from another isolate of the same species. Furthermore, to accommodate codon variability, the invention includes nucleic acid molecules coding for the same amino acid sequences as do the specific ORFs disclosed herein. In other words, in the coding region of an ORF, substitution of one codon for another codon that encodes the same amino acid is expressly contemplated.

The nearest neighbor result for the nucleic acids of the present invention, including SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 can be obtained by searching a database using an algorithm or a program. Preferably, a BLAST which stands for Basic Local Alignment Search Tool is used to search for local sequence alignments [Altshul, S. F., J Mol. Evol., 36:290-300 (1993) and Altschul S. F. et al., J. Mol. Biol., 21:403-410 (1990)].

Species homologs (or orthologs) of the disclosed polynucleotides and proteins are also provided by the present invention. Species homologs may be isolated and identified by making suitable probes or primers from the sequences provided herein and screening a suitable nucleic acid source from the desired species.

The invention also encompasses allelic variants of the disclosed polynucleotides or proteins; that is, naturally-occurring alternative forms of the isolated polynucleotide which also encode proteins which are identical, homologous or related to that encoded by the polynucleotides.

The nucleic acid sequences of the invention are further directed to sequences which encode variants of the described nucleic acids. These amino acid sequence variants may be prepared by methods known in the art by introducing appropriate nucleotide changes into a native or variant polynucleotide. There are two variables in the construction of amino acid sequence variants: the location of the mutation and the nature of the mutation. Nucleic acids encoding the amino acid sequence variants are preferably constructed by mutating the polynucleotide to encode an amino acid sequence that does not occur in nature. These nucleic acid alterations can be made at sites that differ in the nucleic acids from different species (variable positions) or in highly conserved regions (constant regions). Sites at such locations will typically be modified in series, e.g., by substituting first with conservative choices (e.g., hydrophobic amino acid to a different hydrophobic amino acid) and then with more distant choices (e.g. hydrophobic amino acid to a charged amino acid), and then deletions or insertions may be made at the target site. Amino acid sequence deletions generally range from about 1 to 30 residues, preferably about 1 to 10 residues, and are typically contiguous. Amino acid insertions include amino- and/or carboxyl-terminal fusions ranging in length from one to one hundred or more residues, as well as intrasequence insertions of single or multiple amino acid residues. Intrasequence insertions may range generally from about 1 to 10 amino residues, preferably from 1 to 5 residues. Examples of terminal insertions include the heterologous signal sequences necessary for secretion or for intracellular targeting in different host cells and sequences such as FLAG or poly-histidine sequences useful for purifying the expressed protein.

In a preferred method, polynucleotides encoding the novel amino acid sequences are changed via site-directed mutagenesis. This method uses oligonucleotide sequences to alter a polynucleotide to encode the desired amino acid variant, as well as sufficient adjacent nucleotides on both sides of the changed amino acid to form a stable duplex on either side of the site being changed. In general, the techniques of site-directed mutagenesis are well known to those of skill in the art and this technique is exemplified by publications such as, Edelman et al., DNA 2:183 (1983). A versatile and efficient method for producing site-specific changes in a polynucleotide sequence was published by Zoller and Smith, Nucleic Acids Res.,10:6487-6500 (1982). PCR may also be used to create amino acid sequence variants of the novel nucleic acids. When small amounts of template DNA are used as starting material, primer(s) that differs slightly in sequence from the corresponding region in the template DNA can generate the desired amino acid variant. PCR amplification results in a population of product DNA fragments that differ from the polynucleotide template encoding the polypeptide at the position specified by the primer. The product DNA fragments replace the corresponding region in the plasmid and this gives a polynucleotide encoding the desired amino acid variant.

A further technique for generating amino acid variants is the cassette mutagenesis technique described in Wells et al., Gene, 34:315 (1985); and other mutagenesis techniques well known in the art, such as, for example, the techniques in Sambrook et al., supra, and Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Ausubel et al. Due to the inherent degeneracy of the genetic code, other DNA sequences which encode substantially the same or a functionally equivalent amino acid sequence may be used in the practice of the invention for the cloning and expression of these novel nucleic acids. Such DNA sequences include those which are capable of hybridizing to the appropriate novel nucleic acid sequence under stringent conditions.

Polynucleotides encoding preferred polypeptide truncations of the invention can be used to generate polynucleotides encoding chimeric or fusion proteins comprising one or more domains of the invention and heterologous protein sequences.

The polynucleotides of the invention additionally include the complement of any of the polynucleotides recited above. The polynucleotide can be DNA (genomic, cDNA, amplified, or synthetic) or RNA. Methods and algorithms for obtaining such polynucleotides are well known to those of skill in the art and can include, for example, methods for determining hybridization conditions that can routinely isolate polynucleotides of the desired sequence identities.

In accordance with the invention, polynucleotide sequences comprising the mature protein coding sequences, coding for any one of SEQ ID NO: 28, 30-32, 34, 34, 38 or 40 or functional equivalents thereof, may be used to generate recombinant DNA molecules that direct the expression of that nucleic acid, or a functional equivalent thereof, in appropriate host cells. Also included are the cDNA inserts of any of the clones identified herein.

A polynucleotide according to the invention can be joined to any of a variety of other nucleotide sequences by well-established recombinant DNA techniques [see Sambrook J et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY]. Useful nucleotide sequences for joining to polynucleotides include an assortment of vectors, e.g., plasmids, cosmids, lambda phage derivatives, phagemids, and the like, that are well known in the art. Accordingly, the invention also provides a vector including a polynucleotide of the invention and a host cell containing the polynucleotide. In general, the vector contains an origin of replication functional in at least one organism, convenient restriction endonuclease sites, and a selectable marker for the host cell. Vectors according to the invention include expression vectors, replication vectors, probe generation vectors, and sequencing vectors. A host cell according to the invention can be a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell and can be a unicellular organism or part of a multicellular organism.

The present invention further provides recombinant constructs comprising a nucleic acid having any of the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 or a fragment thereof or any other polynucleotides of the invention. In one embodiment, the recombinant constructs of the present invention comprise a vector, such as a plasmid or viral vector, into which a nucleic acid having any of the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 or a fragment thereof is inserted, in a forward or reverse orientation. In the case of a vector comprising one of the ORFs of the present invention, the vector may further comprise regulatory sequences, including for example, a promoter, operably linked to the ORF. Large numbers of suitable vectors and promoters are known to those of skill in the art and are commercially available for generating the recombinant constructs of the present invention. The following vectors are provided by way of example. Bacterial: pBs, phagescript, PsiX174, pBluescript SK, pBs KS, pNH8a, pNH16a, pNH18a, pNH46a (Stratagene); pTrc99A, pKK223-3, pKK233-3, pDR540, pRIT5 (Pharmacia). Eukaryotic: pWLneo, pSV2cat, pOG44, PXTI, pSG (Stratagene) pSVK3, pBPV, pMSG, and pSVL (Pharmacia).

The isolated polynucleotide of the invention may be operably linked to an expression control sequence such as the pMT2 or pED expression vectors disclosed in Kaufman et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 19, 4485-4490 (1991), in order to produce the protein recombinantly. Many suitable expression control sequences are known in the art. General methods of expressing recombinant proteins are also known and are exemplified in R. Kaufman, Methods in Enzymology, 185:537-566 (1990). As defined herein “operably linked” means that the isolated polynucleotide of the invention and an expression control sequence are situated within a vector or cell in such a way that the protein is expressed by a host cell which has been transformed (transfected) with the ligated polynucleotide/expression control sequence.

Promoter regions can be selected from any desired gene using CAT (chloramphenicol transferase) vectors or other vectors with selectable markers. Two appropriate vectors are pKK232-8 and pCM7. Particular named bacterial promoters include lacI, lacZ, T3, T7, gpt, lambda PR, and trc. Eukaryotic promoters include CMV immediate early, HSV thymidine kinase, early and late SV40, LTRs from retrovirus, and mouse metallothionein-I. Selection of the appropriate vector and promoter is well within the level of ordinary skill in the art. Generally, recombinant expression vectors will include origins of replication and selectable markers permitting transformation of the host cell, e.g., the ampicillin resistance gene of E. coli and S. cerevisiae TRP1 gene, and a promoter derived from a highly expressed gene to direct transcription of a downstream structural sequence. Such promoters can be derived from operons encoding glycolytic enzymes such as 3-phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), a-factor, acid phosphatase, or heat shock proteins, among others. The heterologous structural sequence is assembled in appropriate phase with translation initiation and termination sequences, and preferably, a leader sequence capable of directing secretion of translated protein into the periplasmic space or extracellular medium. Optionally, the heterologous sequence can encode a fusion protein including an amino terminal identification peptide imparting desired characteristics, e.g., stabilization or simplified purification of expressed recombinant product. Useful expression vectors for bacterial use are constructed by inserting a structural DNA sequence encoding a desired protein together with suitable translation initiation and termination signals in operable reading phase with a functional promoter. The vector will comprise one or more phenotypic selectable markers and an origin of replication to ensure maintenance of the vector and to, if desirable, provide amplification within the host. Suitable prokaryotic hosts for transformation include E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium and various species within the genera Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, and Staphylococcus, although others may also be employed as a matter of choice.

As a representative but non-limiting example, useful expression vectors for bacterial use can comprise a selectable marker and bacterial origin of replication derived from commercially available plasmids comprising genetic elements of the well known cloning vector pBR322 (ATCC 37017). Such commercial vectors include, for example, pKK223-3 (Pharmacia Fine Chemicals, Uppsala, Sweden) and GEM 1 (Promega Biotech, Madison, Wis., USA). These pBR322“backbone” sections are combined with an appropriate promoter and the structural sequence to be expressed. Following transformation of a suitable host strain and growth of the host strain to an appropriate cell density, the selected promoter is induced or derepressed by appropriate means (e.g., temperature shift or chemical induction) and cells are cultured for an additional period. Cells are typically harvested by centrifugation, disrupted by physical or chemical means, and the resulting crude extract retained for further purification.

Polynucleotides of the invention can also be used to induce immune responses. For example, as described in Fan et al., Nat. Biotech.,17:870-872 (1999), incorporated herein by reference, nucleic acid sequences encoding a polypeptide may be used to generate antibodies against the encoded polypeptide following topical administration of naked plasmid DNA or following injection, and preferably intramuscular injection of the DNA. The nucleic acid sequences are preferably inserted in a recombinant expression vector and may be in the form of naked DNA.

4.2.1 Antisense Nucleic Acids

Another aspect of the invention pertains to isolated antisense nucleic acid molecules that can hybridize to, or are complementary to, the nucleic acid molecule comprising the stem cell growth factor-like nucleotide sequence, or fragments, analogs or derivatives thereof. An “antisense” nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to a “sense” nucleic acid encoding a protein (e.g., complementary to the coding strand of a double-stranded cDNA molecule or complementary to an mRNA sequence). In specific aspects, antisense nucleic acid molecules are provided that comprise a sequence complementary to at least about 10, 25, 50, 100, 250 or 500 nucleotides or an entire stem cell growth factor-like coding strand, or to only a portion thereof. Nucleic acid molecules encoding fragments, homologs, derivatives and analogs of a stem cell growth factor-like or antisense nucleic acids complementary to a stem cell growth factor-like nucleic acid sequence of are additionally provided.

In one embodiment, an antisense nucleic acid molecule is antisense to a “coding region” of the coding strand of a nucleotide sequence encoding a stem cell growth factor-like protein. The term “coding region” refers to the region of the nucleotide sequence comprising codons which are translated into amino acid residues. In another embodiment, the antisense nucleic acid molecule is antisense to a “conceding region” of the coding strand of a nucleotide sequence encoding the stem cell growth factor-like protein. The term “conceding region” refers to 5′ and 3′ sequences which flank the coding region that are not translated into amino acids (i.e., also referred to as 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions).

Given the coding strand sequences encoding the stem cell growth factor-like protein disclosed herein, antisense nucleic acids of the invention can be designed according to the rules of Watson and Crick or Hoogsteen base pairing. The antisense nucleic acid molecule can be complementary to the entire coding region of stem cell growth factor-like mRNA, but more preferably is an oligonucleotide that is antisense to only a portion of the coding or noncoding region of stem cell growth factor-like mRNA. For example, the antisense oligonucleotide can be complementary to the region surrounding the translation start site of stem cell growth factor-like mRNA. An antisense oligonucleotide can be, for example, about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 nucleotides in length. An antisense nucleic acid of the invention can be constructed using chemical synthesis or enzymatic ligation reactions using procedures known in the art. For example, an antisense nucleic acid (e.g., an antisense oligonucleotide) can be chemically synthesized using naturally occurring nucleotides or variously modified nucleotides designed to increase the biological stability of the molecules or to increase the physical stability of the duplex formed between the antisense and sense nucleic acids (e.g., phosphorothioate derivatives and acridine substituted nucleotides can be used).

Examples of modified nucleotides that can be used to generate the antisense nucleic acid include: 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromouracil, 5-chlorouracil, 5-iodouracil, hypoxanthine, xanthine, 4-acetylcytosine, 5-(carboxyhydroxylmethyl) uracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyluracil, dihydrouracil, beta-D-galactosylqueosine, inosine, N6-isopentenyladenine, 1-methylguanine, 1-methylinosine, 2,2-dimethylguanine, 2-methyladenine, 2-methylguanine, 3-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, N6-adenine, 7-methylguanine, 5-methylaminomethyluracil, 5-methoxyaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, beta-D-mannosylqueosine, 5′-methoxycarboxymethyluracil, 5-methoxyuracil, 2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyladenine, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid (v), wybutoxosine, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 5-methyluracil, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid (v), 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 3-(3-amino-3-N-2-carboxypropyl) uracil, (acp3)w, and 2,6-diaminopurine. Alternatively, the antisense nucleic acid can be produced biologically using an expression vector into which a nucleic acid has been subcloned in an antisense orientation (i.e., RNA transcribed from the inserted nucleic acid will be of an antisense orientation to a target nucleic acid of interest, described further in the following section).

The antisense nucleic acid molecules of the invention are typically administered to a subject or generated in situ such that they hybridize with or bind to cellular mRNA and/or genomic DNA encoding a stem cell growth factor-like protein to thereby inhibit expression of the protein (e.g., by inhibiting transcription and/or translation). The hybridization can be by conventional nucleotide complementarity to form a stable duplex, or, for example, in the case of an antisense nucleic acid molecule that binds to DNA duplexes, through specific interactions in the major groove of the double helix. An example of a route of administration of antisense nucleic acid molecules of the invention includes direct injection at a tissue site. Alternatively, antisense nucleic acid molecules can be modified to target selected cells and then administered systemically. For example, for systemic administration, antisense molecules can be modified such that they specifically bind to receptors or antigens expressed on a selected cell surface (e.g., by linking the antisense nucleic acid molecules to peptides or antibodies that bind to cell surface receptors or antigens). The antisense nucleic acid molecules can also be delivered to cells using the vectors described herein. To achieve sufficient nucleic acid molecules, vector constructs in which the antisense nucleic acid molecule is placed under the control of a strong pol II or pol III promoter are preferred.

In yet another embodiment, the antisense nucleic acid molecule of the invention is an alpha-anomeric nucleic acid molecule. An alpha-anomeric nucleic acid molecule forms specific double-stranded hybrids with complementary RNA in which, contrary to the usual alpha-units, the strands run parallel to each other. See, e.g., Gaultier, et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 15: 6625-6641 (1987). The antisense nucleic acid molecule can also comprise a 2′-o-methylribonucleotide [see, e.g., Inoue, et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 15:6131-6148 (1987) or a chimeric RNA-DNA analogue [see, e.g., Inoue, et al., FEBS Lett., 215:327-330 (1987)].

4.2.2 Ribozymes and PNA Moieties

Nucleic acid modifications include, by way of non-limiting example, modified bases, and nucleic acids whose sugar phosphate backbones are modified or derivatized. These modifications are carried out at least in part to enhance the chemical stability of the modified nucleic acid, such that they can be used, for example, as antisense binding nucleic acids in therapeutic applications in a subject.

In one embodiment, an antisense nucleic acid of the invention is a ribozyme. Ribozymes are catalytic RNA molecules with ribonuclease activity that are capable of cleaving a single-stranded nucleic acid, such as an mRNA, to which they have a complementary region. Thus, ribozymes (e.g., hammerhead ribozymes as described in Haselhoff and Gerlach, Nature 334:585-591 (1988)) can be used to catalytically cleave stem cell growth factor-like mRNA transcripts to thereby inhibit translation of stem cell growth factor-like mRNA. A ribozyme having specificity for a stem cell growth factor-like-encoding nucleic acid can be designed based upon the nucleotide sequence of a stem cell growth factor-like cDNA disclosed herein. For example, a derivative of a Tetrahymena L-19 IVS RNA can be constructed in which the nucleotide sequence of the active site is complementary to the nucleotide sequence to be cleaved in a stem cell growth factor-like-encoding mRNA. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,071 to Cech, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,742 to Cech, et al. Stem cell growth factor-like mRNA can also be used to select a catalytic RNA having a specific ribonuclease activity from a pool of RNA molecules. See, e.g., Bartel et al., Science, 261:1411-1418 (1993).

Alternatively, stem cell growth factor-like gene expression can be inhibited by targeting nucleotide sequences complementary to the regulatory region of the stem cell growth factor-like nucleic acid (e.g., the stem cell growth factor-like promoter and/or enhancers) to form triple helical structures that prevent transcription of the stem cell growth factor-like gene in target cells. [See, e.g., Helene, Anticancer Drug Des., 6:569-84 (1991); Helene, et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 660: 27-36 (1992); Maher, Bioassays, 14:807-15 (1992)].

In various embodiments, the stem cell growth factor-like nucleic acids can be modified at the base moiety, sugar moiety or phosphate backbone to improve, e.g., the stability, hybridization, or solubility of the molecule. For example, the deoxyribose phosphate backbone of the nucleic acids can be modified to generate peptide nucleic acids [see, e.g., Hyrup, et al., Bioorg Med Chem., 4:5-23 (1996)]. As used herein, the terms “peptide nucleic acids” or “PNAs” refer to nucleic acid mimics (e.g., DNA mimics) in which the deoxyribose phosphate backbone is replaced by a pseudopeptide backbone and only the four natural nucleobases are retained. The neutral backbone of PNAs has been shown to allow for specific hybridization to DNA and RNA under conditions of low ionic strength. The synthesis of PNA oligomers can be performed using standard solid phase peptide synthesis protocols as described in Hyrup, et al., 1996, supra and Perry-O'Keefe, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 93:14670-14675 (1996).

PNAs of stem cell growth factor-like can be used in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. For example, PNAs can be used as antisense or antigene agents for sequence-specific modulation of gene expression by, e.g., inducing transcription or translation arrest or inhibiting replication. PNAs of stem cell growth factor-like can also be used, for example, in the analysis of single base pair mutations in a gene (e.g., PNA directed PCR clamping; as artificial restriction enzymes when used in combination with other enzymes, e.g., S1 nucleases (see, Hyrup, et al., 1996.supra); or as probes or primers for DNA sequence and hybridization (see, Hyrup, et al., 1996, supra; Perry-O'Keefe, et al., 1996. supra).

In another embodiment, PNAs of stem cell growth factor-like can be modified, e.g., to enhance their stability or cellular uptake, by attaching lipophilic or other helper groups to PNA, by the formation of PNA-DNA chimeras, or by the use of liposomes or other techniques of drug delivery known in the art. For example, PNA-DNA chimeras of stem cell growth factor-like can be generated that may combine the advantageous properties of PNA and DNA. Such chimeras allow DNA recognition enzymes (e.g., RNase H and DNA polymerases) to interact with the DNA portion while the PNA portion would provide high binding affinity and specificity. PNA-DNA chimeras can be linked using linkers of appropriate lengths selected in terms of base stacking, number of bonds between the nucleobases, and orientation [see, Hyrup, et al., 1996. supra]. The synthesis of PNA-DNA chimeras can be performed as described in Hyrup, et al., 1996, supra, and Nucl Acids Res, 24:3357-3363 (1996). For example, a DNA chain can be synthesized on a solid support using standard phosphoramidite coupling chemistry, and modified nucleoside analogs, e.g., 5′-(4-methoxytrityl)amino-5′-deoxy-thymidine phosphoramidite, can be used between the PNA and the 5′ end of DNA. See, e.g., Mag, et al., Nucl Acid Res., 17:5973-5988 (1989). PNA monomers are then coupled in a stepwise manner to produce a chimeric molecule with a 5′ PNA segment and a 3′ DNA segment. See, e.g., Finn, et al., 1996, supra. Alternatively, chimeric molecules can be synthesized with a 5′ DNA segment and a 3′ PNA segment. See, e.g., Petersen, et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 5:1119-11124 (1975).

In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide may include other appended groups such as peptides (e.g., for targeting host cell receptors in vivo), or agents facilitating transport across the cell membrane [see, e.g., Letsinger, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 86:6553-6556 (1989); Lemaitre, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 84:648-652 (1987); and PCT Publication No. WO88/09810] or the blood-brain barrier [see, e.g., PCT Publication No. WO 89/10134]. In addition, oligonucleotides can be modified with hybridization-triggered cleavage agents [see, e.g., Krol et al., BioTechniques, 6:958-976 (1988)] or intercalating agents [see, e.g., Zon, Pharm. Res., 5:539-549 (1988)]. To this end, the oligonucleotide can be conjugated to another molecule, e.g., a peptide, a hybridization triggered cross-linking agent, a transport agent, a hybridization-triggered cleavage agent, and the like.

4.3 Host Cells

The present invention further provides host cells genetically engineered to contain the polynucleotides of the invention. For example, such host cells may contain nucleic acids of the invention introduced into the host cell using known transformation, transfection or infection methods. The present invention still further provides host cells genetically engineered to express the polynucleotides of the invention, wherein such polynucleotides are in operative association with a regulatory sequence heterologous to the host cell which drives expression of the polynucleotides in the cell.

The host cell can be a higher eukaryotic host cell, such as a mammalian cell, a lower eukaryotic host cell, such as a yeast cell, or the host cell can be a prokaryotic cell, such as a bacterial cell. Introduction of the recombinant construct into the host cell can be effected by calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE, dextran mediated transfection, or electroporation [Davis, L. et al., Basic Methods in Molecular Biology (1986)]. The host cells containing one of polynucleotides of the invention, can be used in conventional manners to produce the gene product encoded by the isolated fragment (in the case of an ORF) or can be used to produce a heterologous protein under the control of the EMF.

Any host/vector system can be used to express one or more of the ORFs of the present invention. These include, but are not limited to, eukaryotic hosts such as HeLa cells, Cv-1 cell, COS cells, and Sf9 cells, as well as prokaryotic host such as E. coli and B. subtilis. The most preferred cells are those which do not normally express the particular polypeptide or protein or which expresses the polypeptide or protein at low natural level. Mature proteins can be expressed in mammalian cells, yeast, bacteria, or other cells under the control of appropriate promoters. Cell-free translation systems can also be employed to produce such proteins using RNAs derived from the DNA constructs of the present invention. Appropriate cloning and expression vectors for use with prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts are described by Sambrook, et al., in Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Various mammalian cell culture systems can also be employed to express recombinant protein. Examples of mammalian expression systems include the COS-7 lines of monkey kidney fibroblasts, described by Gluzman, Cell, 23:175 (1981), and other cell lines capable of expressing a compatible vector, for example, the C 127, 3T3, CHO, HeLa and BHK cell tines. Mammalian expression vectors will comprise an origin of replication, a suitable promoter, and also any necessary ribosome binding sites, polyadenylation site, splice donor and acceptor sites, transcriptional termination sequences, and 5′ flanking nontranscribed sequences. DNA sequences derived from the SV40 viral genome, for example, SV40 origin, early promoter, enhancer, splice, and polyadenylation sites may be used to provide the required nontranscribed genetic elements. Recombinant polypeptides and proteins produced in bacterial culture are usually isolated by initial extraction from cell pellets, followed by one or more salting-out, aqueous ion exchange or size exclusion chromatography steps. Protein refolding steps can be used, as necessary, in completing configuration of the mature protein. Finally, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can be employed for final purification steps. Microbial cells employed in expression of proteins can be disrupted by any convenient method, including freeze-thaw cycling, sonication, mechanical disruption, or use of cell lysing agents.

A number of types of cells may act as suitable host cells for expression of the protein. Mammalian host cells include, for example, monkey COS cells, Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, human kidney 293 cells, human epidermal A431 cells, human Colo205 cells, 3T3 cells, CV-1 cells, other transformed primate cell lines, normal diploid cells, cell strains derived from in vitro culture of primary tissue, primary explants, HeLa cells, mouse L cells, BHK, HL-60, U937, HaK or Jurkat cells.

Alternatively, it may be possible to produce the protein in lower eukaryotes such as yeast or in prokaryotes such as bacteria. Potentially suitable yeast strains include Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Kluyveromyces strains, Candida, or any yeast strain capable of expressing heterologous proteins. Potentially suitable bacterial strains include Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium, or any bacterial strain capable of expressing heterologous proteins. If the protein is made in yeast or bacteria, it may be necessary to modify the protein produced therein, for example by phosphorylation or glycosylation of the appropriate sites, in order to obtain the functional protein. Such covalent attachments may be accomplished using known chemical or enzymatic methods.

In another embodiment of the present invention, cells and tissues may be engineered to express an endogenous gene comprising the polynucleotides of the invention under the control of inducible regulatory elements, in which case the regulatory sequences of the endogenous gene may be replaced by homologous recombination. As described herein, gene targeting can be used to replace a gene's existing regulatory region with a regulatory sequence isolated from a different gene or a novel regulatory sequence synthesized by genetic engineering methods. Such regulatory sequences may be comprised of promoters, enhancers, scaffold-attachment regions, negative regulatory elements, transcriptional initiation sites, regulatory protein binding sites or combinations of said sequences. Alternatively, sequences which affect the structure or stability of the RNA or protein produced may be replaced, removed, added, or otherwise modified by targeting, including polyadenylation signals, mRNA stability elements, splice sites, leader sequences for enhancing or modifying transport or secretion properties of the protein, or other sequences which alter or improve the function or stability of protein or RNA molecules.

The targeting event may be a simple insertion of the regulatory sequence, placing the gene under the control of the new regulatory sequence, e.g., inserting a new promoter or enhancer or both upstream of a gene. Alternatively, the targeting event may be a simple deletion of a regulatory element, such as the deletion of a tissue-specific negative regulatory element. Alternatively, the targeting event may replace an existing element; for example, a tissue-specific enhancer can be replaced by an enhancer that has broader or different cell-type specificity than the naturally occurring elements. Here, the naturally occurring sequences are deleted and new sequences are added. In all cases, the identification of the targeting event may be facilitated by the use of one or more selectable marker genes that are contiguous with the targeting DNA, allowing for the selection of cells in which the exogenous DNA has integrated into the host cell genome. The identification of the targeting event may also be facilitated by the use of one or more marker genes exhibiting the property of negative selection, such that the negatively selectable marker is linked to the exogenous DNA, but configured such that the negatively selectable marker flanks the targeting sequence, and such that a correct homologous recombination event with sequences in the host cell genome does not result in the stable integration of the negatively selectable marker. Markers useful for this purpose include the Herpes Simplex Virus thymidine kinase (TK) gene or the bacterial xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (gpt) gene.

The gene targeting or gene activation techniques which can be used in accordance with this aspect of the invention are more particularly described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,071 to Chappel; U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,461 to Sherwin et al.; International Application No. PCT/US92/09627 (WO93/09222) by Selden et al.; and International Application No. PCT/US90/06436 (WO91/06667) by Skoultchi et al., each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

4.3.1 Chimeric and Fusion Proteins

The invention also provides stem cell growth factor-like chimeric or fusion proteins. As used herein, a stem cell growth factor-like “chimeric protein” or “fusion protein” comprises a stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide operatively-linked to a non-stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide. A “stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide” refers to a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence corresponding to a stem cell growth factor-like protein, whereas a “non-stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide” refers to a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence corresponding to a protein that is not substantially homologous to the stem cell growth factor-like protein, e.g., a protein that is different from the stem cell growth factor-like protein and that is derived from the same or a different organism. Within a stem cell growth factor-like fusion protein the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide can correspond to all or a portion of a stem cell growth factor-like protein. In one embodiment, a stem cell growth factor-like fusion protein comprises at least one biologically active portion of a stem cell growth factor-like protein. In another embodiment, a stem cell growth factor-like fusion protein comprises at least two biologically active portions of a stem cell growth factor-like protein. In yet another embodiment, a stem cell growth factor-like fusion protein comprises at least three biologically active portions of a stem cell growth factor-like protein. Within the fusion protein, the term “operatively-linked” is intended to indicate that the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide and the non-stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide are fused in-frame with one another. The non-stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide can be fused to the N-terminus or C-terminus of the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide.

In one embodiment, the fusion protein is a GST-stem cell growth factor-like fusion protein in which the stem cell growth factor-like sequences are fused to the C-terminus of the GST (glutathione S-transferase) sequences. Such fusion proteins can facilitate the purification of recombinant stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides. In another embodiment, the fusion protein is a stem cell growth factor-like protein containing a heterologous signal sequence at its N-terminus. In certain host cells (e.g., mammalian host cells), expression and/or secretion of stem cell growth factor-like can be increased through use of a heterologous signal sequence.

In yet another embodiment, the fusion protein is a stem cell growth factor-like-immunoglobulin fusion protein in which the stem cell growth factor-like sequences are fused to sequences derived from a member of the immunoglobulin protein family. The stem cell growth factor-like-immunoglobulin fusion proteins of the invention can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions and administered to a subject to inhibit an interaction between a stem cell growth factor-like ligand and a stem cell growth factor-like protein on the surface of a cell, to thereby suppress stem cell growth factor-like-mediated signal transduction in vivo. The stem cell growth factor-like-immunoglobulin fusion proteins can be used to affect the bioavailability of a stem cell growth factor-like cognate ligand. Inhibition of the stem cell growth factor-like ligand/stem cell growth factor-like interaction can be useful therapeutically for both the treatment of proliferative and differentiative disorders, as well as modulating (e.g. promoting or inhibiting) cell survival. Moreover, the stem cell growth factor-like-immunoglobulin fusion proteins of the invention can be used as immunogens to produce anti-stem cell growth factor-like antibodies in a subject, to purify stem cell growth factor-like ligands, and in screening assays to identify molecules that inhibit the interaction of stem cell growth factor-like with a stem cell growth factor-like ligand.

A stem cell growth factor-like chimeric or fusion protein of the invention can be produced by standard recombinant DNA techniques. For example, DNA fragments coding for the different polypeptide sequences are ligated together in-frame in accordance with conventional techniques, e.g., by employing blunt-ended or stagger-ended termini for ligation, restriction enzyme digestion to provide for appropriate termini, filling-in of cohesive ends as appropriate, alkaline phosphatase treatment to avoid undesirable joining, and enzymatic ligation. In another embodiment, the fusion gene can be synthesized by conventional techniques including automated DNA synthesizers. Alternatively, PCR amplification of gene fragments can be carried out using anchor primers that give rise to complementary overhangs between two consecutive gene fragments that can subsequently be annealed and reamplified to generate a chimeric gene sequence [see, e.g., Ausubel, et al. (eds.) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, 1992]. Moreover, many expression vectors are commercially available that already encode a fusion moiety (e.g., a GST polypeptide). A stem cell growth factor-like-encoding nucleic acid can be cloned into such an expression vector such that the fusion moiety is linked in-frame to the stem cell growth factor-like protein.

4.4 Polypeptides of the Invention

The isolated polypeptides of the invention include, but are not limited to, a polypeptide comprising: the amino acid sequence set forth as any one of SEQ ID NO: 28, 30-32, 34, 38 or 40 or an amino acid sequence encoded by any one of the nucleotide sequences SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 or the corresponding full length or mature protein. Polypeptides of the invention also include polypeptides preferably with biological or immunological activity that are encoded by: (a) a polynucleotide having any one of the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 or (b) polynucleotides encoding any one of the amino acid sequences set forth as SEQ ID NO: 28, 30-32, 34, 38 or 40 or (c) polynucleotides that hybridize to the complement of the polynucleotides of either (a) or (b) under stringent hybridization conditions. The invention also provides biologically active or immunologically active variants of any of the amino acid sequences set forth as SEQ ID NO: 28, 30-32, 34, 38 or 40 or the corresponding full length or mature protein; and “substantial equivalents” thereof (e.g., with at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, or 89%, more typically at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, or 94% and even more typically at least about 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%, most typically at least about 99% amino acid identity) that retain biological activity. Polypeptides encoded by allelic variants may have a similar, increased, or decreased activity compared to polypeptides comprising SEQ ID NO: 28, 30-32, 34, 38 or 40.

Fragments of the proteins of the present invention which are capable of exhibiting biological activity are also encompassed by the present invention. Fragments of the protein may be in linear form or they may be cyclized using known methods, for example, as described in H. U. Saragovi, et al., Bio/Technology, 10:773-778 (1992) and in R. S. McDowell, et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 114:9245-9253 (1992), both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such fragments may be fused to carrier molecules such as immunoglobulins for many purposes, including increasing the valency of protein binding sites.

The present invention also provides both full-length and mature forms (for example, without a signal sequence or precursor sequence) of the disclosed proteins. The protein coding sequence is identified in the sequence listing by translation of the disclosed nucleotide sequences. The mature form of such protein may be obtained by expression of a full-length polynucleotide in a suitable mammalian cell or other host cell. The sequence of the mature form of the protein is also determinable from the amino acid sequence of the full-length form. Where proteins of the present invention are membrane bound, soluble forms of the proteins are also provided. In such forms, part or all of the regions causing the proteins to be membrane bound are deleted so that the proteins are fully secreted from the cell in which it is expressed.

Protein compositions of the present invention may further comprise an acceptable carrier, such as a hydrophilic, e.g., pharmaceutically acceptable, carrier.

The present invention further provides isolated polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid fragments of the present invention or by degenerate variants of the nucleic acid fragments of the present invention. By “degenerate variant” is intended nucleotide fragments which differ from a nucleic acid fragment of the present invention (e.g., an ORF) by nucleotide sequence but, due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, encode an identical polypeptide sequence. Preferred nucleic acid fragments of the present invention are the ORFs that encode proteins.

A variety of methodologies known in the art can be utilized to obtain any one of the isolated polypeptides or proteins of the present invention. At the simplest level, the amino acid sequence can be synthesized using commercially available peptide synthesizers. The synthetically-constructed protein sequences, by virtue of sharing primary, secondary or tertiary structural and/or conformational characteristics with proteins may possess biological properties in common therewith, including protein activity. This technique is particularly useful in producing small peptides and fragments of larger polypeptides. Fragments are useful, for example, in generating antibodies against the native polypeptide. Thus, they may be employed as biologically active or immunological substitutes for natural, purified proteins in screening of therapeutic compounds and in immunological processes for the development of antibodies.

The polypeptides and proteins of the present invention can alternatively be purified from cells which have been altered to express the desired polypeptide or protein. As used herein, a cell is said to be altered to express a desired polypeptide or protein when the cell, through genetic manipulation, is made to produce a polypeptide or protein which it normally does not produce or which the cell normally produces at a lower level. One skilled in the art can readily adapt procedures for introducing and expressing either recombinant or synthetic sequences into eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells in order to generate a cell which produces one of the polypeptides or proteins of the present invention.

The invention also relates to methods for producing a polypeptide comprising growing a culture of host cells of the invention in a suitable culture medium, and purifying the protein from the cells or the culture in which the cells are grown. For example, the methods of the invention include a process for producing a polypeptide in which a host cell containing a suitable expression vector that includes a polynucleotide of the invention is cultured under conditions that allow expression of the encoded polypeptide. The polypeptide can be recovered from the culture, conveniently from the culture medium, or from a lysate prepared from the host cells and further purified. Preferred embodiments include those in which the protein produced by such process is a full length or mature form of the protein.

In an alternative method, the polypeptide or protein is purified from bacterial cells which naturally produce the polypeptide or protein. One skilled in the art can readily follow known methods for isolating polypeptides and proteins in order to obtain one of the isolated polypeptides or proteins of the present invention. These include, but are not limited to, immunochromatography, HPLC, size-exclusion chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, and immuno-affinity chromatography. See, e.g., Scopes, Protein Purification: Principles and Practice, Springer-Verlag (1994); Sambrook, et al., in Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual; Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. Polypeptide fragments that retain biological/immunological activity include fragments comprising greater than about 100 amino acids, or greater than about 200 amino acids, and fragments that encode specific protein domains.

The purified polypeptides can be used in in vitro binding assays which are well known in the art to identify molecules which bind to the polypeptides. These molecules include but are not limited to, for e.g., small molecules, molecules from combinatorial libraries, antibodies or other proteins. The molecules identified in the binding assay are then tested for antagonist or agonist activity in in vivo tissue culture or animal models that are well known in the art. In brief, the molecules are titrated into a plurality of cell cultures or animals and then tested for either cell/animal death or prolonged survival of the animal/cells.

In addition, the peptides of the invention or molecules capable of binding to the peptides may be complexed with toxins, e.g., ricin or cholera, or with other compounds that are toxic to cells. The toxin-binding molecule complex is then targeted to a tumor or other cell by the specificity of the binding molecule for SEQ ID NO: 28, 30-32, 34, 38 or 40.

The protein of the invention may also be expressed as a product of transgenic animals, e.g., as a component of the milk of transgenic cows, goats, pigs, or sheep which are characterized by somatic or germ cells containing a nucleotide sequence encoding the protein.

The proteins provided herein also include proteins characterized by amino acid sequences similar to those of purified proteins but into which modification are naturally provided or deliberately engineered. For example, modifications, in the peptide or DNA sequence, can be made by those skilled in the art using known techniques. Modifications of interest in the protein sequences may include the alteration, substitution, replacement, insertion or deletion of a selected amino acid residue in the coding sequence. For example, one or more of the cysteine residues may be deleted or replaced with another amino acid to alter the conformation of the molecule. Techniques for such alteration, substitution, replacement, insertion or deletion are well known to those skilled in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,584). Preferably, such alteration, substitution, replacement, insertion or deletion retains the desired activity of the protein. Regions of the protein that are important for the protein function can be determined by various methods known in the art including the alanine-scanning method which involved systematic substitution of single or strings of amino acids with alanine, followed by testing the resulting alanine-containing variant for biological activity. This type of analysis determines the importance of the substituted amino acid(s) in biological activity. Regions of the protein that are important for protein function may be determined by the eMATRIX program.

Other fragments and derivatives of the sequences of proteins which would be expected to retain protein activity in whole or in part and are useful for screening or other immunological methodologies may also be easily made by those skilled in the art given the disclosures herein. Such modifications are encompassed by the present invention.

The protein may also be produced by operably linking the isolated polynucleotide of the invention to suitable control sequences in one or more insect expression vectors, and employing an insect expression system. Materials and methods for baculovirus/insect cell expression systems are commercially available in kit form from, e.g., Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif., U.S.A. (the MaxBat™ kit), and such methods are well known in the art, as described in Summers and Smith, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin No. 1555 (1987), incorporated herein by reference. As used herein, an insect cell capable of expressing a polynucleotide of the present invention is “transformed.”

The protein of the invention may be prepared by culturing transformed host cells under culture conditions suitable to express the recombinant protein. The resulting expressed protein may then be purified from such culture (i.e., from culture medium or cell extracts) using known purification processes, such as gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. The purification of the protein may also include an affinity column containing agents which will bind to the protein; one or more column steps over such affinity resins as concanavalin A-agarose, heparin-toyopearl™ or Cibacrom blue 3GA Sepharose™; one or more steps involving hydrophobic interaction chromatography using such resins as phenyl ether, butyl ether, or propyl ether; or immunoaffinity chromatography.

Alternatively, the protein of the invention may also be expressed in a form which will facilitate purification. For example, it may be expressed as a fusion protein, such as those of maltose binding protein (MBP), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) or thioredoxin (TRX), or as a His tag. Kits for expression and purification of such fusion proteins are commercially available from New England BioLab (Beverly, Mass.), Pharmacia (Piscataway, N.J.) and Invitrogen, respectively. The protein can also be tagged with an epitope and subsequently purified by using a specific antibody directed to such epitope. One such epitope (“FLAG®”) is commercially available from Kodak (New Haven, Conn.).

Finally, one or more reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) steps employing hydrophobic RP-HPLC media, e.g., silica gel having pendant methyl or other aliphatic groups, can be employed to further purify the protein. Some or all of the foregoing purification steps, in various combinations, can also be employed to provide a substantially homogeneous isolated recombinant protein. The protein thus purified is substantially free of other mammalian proteins and is defined in accordance with the present invention as an “isolated protein.”

The polypeptides of the invention include analogs (variants). The polypeptides of the invention include stem cell growth factor-like analogs. This embraces fragments of stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide of the invention, as well stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides which comprise one or more amino acids deleted, inserted, or substituted. Also, analogs of the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide of the invention embrace fusions of the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides or modifications of the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides, wherein the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide or analog is fused to another moiety or moieties, e.g., targeting moiety or another therapeutic agent. Such analogs may exhibit improved properties such as activity and/or stability. Examples of moieties which may be fused to the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide or an analog include, for example, targeting moieties which provide for the delivery of polypeptide to neurons, e.g., antibodies to central nervous system, or antibodies to receptor and ligands expressed on neuronal cells. Other moieties which may be fused to stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide include therapeutic agents which are used for treatment, for example anti-depressant drugs or other medications for neurological disorders. Also, stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides may be fused to neuron growth modulators, and other chemokines for targeted delivery.

4.4.1 Determining Polypeptide and Polynucleotide Identity and Similarity

Preferred identity and/or similarity are designed to give the largest match between the sequences tested. Methods to determine identity and similarity are codified in computer programs including, but are not limited to, the GCG program package, including GAP [Devereux, J., et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 12(1):387 (1984); Genetics Computer Group, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.], BLASTP, BLASTN, BLASTX, FASTA [Altschul, S. F. et al., J. Molec. Biol., 215:403-410 (1990)], PSI-BLAST [Altschul S. F. et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 25:3389-3402, herein incorporated by reference], the eMatrix software [Wu et al., J. Comp. Biol., 6:219-235 (1999), herein incorporated by reference], eMotif software [Nevill-Manning et al, ISMB-97, 4: 202-209, herein incorporated by reference], the GeneAtlas software Molecular Simulations Inc. (MSI), San Diego, Calif.) [Sanchez and Sali, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 95:13597-13602 (1998); Kitson D H et al, (2000) “Remote homology detection using structural modeling—an evaluation” Submitted; Fischer and Eisenberg, Protein Sci., 5:947-955 (1996)], and the Kyte-Doolittle hydrophobocity prediction algorithm [J. Mol Biol, 157:105-31 (1982), incorporated herein by reference]. The BLAST programs are publicly available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and other sources [BLAST Manual, Altschul, S., et al. NCB NLM NIH Bethesda, Md. 20894; Altschul, S., et al., J. Mol. Biol., 215:403-410 (1990)].

4.5 Gene Therapy

Mutations in the polynucleotides of the invention gene may result in loss of normal function of the encoded protein. The invention thus provides gene therapy to restore normal activity of the polypeptides of the invention; or to treat disease states involving polypeptides of the invention. Delivery of a functional gene encoding polypeptides of the invention to appropriate cells is effected ex vivo, in situ, or in vivo by use of vectors, and more particularly viral vectors (e.g., adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, or a retrovirus), or ex vivo by use of physical DNA transfer methods (e.g., liposomes or chemical treatments). See, for example, Anderson, Nature, (Suppl.) 392(6679):25-20 (1998). For additional reviews of gene therapy technology see Friedmann, Science, 244:1275-1281 (1989); Verma, Scientific American: 68-84 (1990); and Miller, Nature, 357:455-460 (1992). Introduction of any one of the nucleotides of the present invention or a gene encoding the polypeptides of the present invention can also be accomplished with extrachromosomal substrates (transient expression) or artificial chromosomes (stable expression). Cells may also be cultured ex vivo in the presence of proteins of the present invention in order to proliferate or to produce a desired effect on or activity in such cells. Treated cells can then be introduced in vivo for therapeutic purposes. Alternatively, it is contemplated that in other human disease states, preventing the expression of or inhibiting the activity of polypeptides of the invention will be useful in treating the disease states. It is contemplated that antisense therapy or gene therapy could be applied to negatively regulate the expression of polypeptides of the invention.

Other methods inhibiting expression of a protein include the introduction of antisense molecules to the nucleic acids of the present invention, their complements, or their translated RNA sequences, by methods known in the art. Further, the polypeptides of the present invention can be inhibited by using targeted deletion methods, or the insertion of a negative regulatory element such as a silencer, which is tissue specific.

The present invention still further provides cells genetically engineered in vivo to express the polynucleotides of the invention, wherein such polynucleotides are in operative association with a regulatory sequence heterologous to the host cell which drives expression of the polynucleotides in the cell. These methods can be used to increase or decrease the expression of the polynucleotides of the present invention.

Knowledge of DNA sequences provided by the invention allows for modification of cells to permit, increase, or decrease, expression of endogenous polypeptide. Cells can be modified (e.g., by homologous recombination) to provide increased polypeptide expression by replacing, in whole or in part, the naturally occurring promoter with all or part of a heterologous promoter so that the cells express the protein at higher levels. The heterologous promoter is inserted in such a manner that it is operatively linked to the desired protein encoding sequences. See, for example, PCT International Publication No. WO 94/12650, PCT International Publication No. WO 92/20808, and PCT International Publication No. WO 91/09955. It is also contemplated that, in addition to heterologous promoter DNA, amplifiable marker DNA (e.g., ada, dhfr, and the multifunctional CAD gene which encodes carbamyl phosphate synthase, aspartate transcarbamylase, and dihydroorotase) and/or intron DNA may be inserted along with the heterologous promoter DNA. If linked to the desired protein coding sequence, amplification of the marker DNA by standard selection methods results in co-amplification of the desired protein coding sequences in the cells.

In another embodiment of the present invention, cells and tissues may be engineered to express an endogenous gene comprising the polynucleotides of the invention under the control of inducible regulatory elements, in which case the regulatory sequences of the endogenous gene may be replaced by homologous recombination. As described herein, gene targeting can be used to replace a gene's existing regulatory region with a regulatory sequence isolated from a different gene or a novel regulatory sequence synthesized by genetic engineering methods. Such regulatory sequences may be comprised of promoters, enhancers, scaffold-attachment regions, negative regulatory elements, transcriptional initiation sites, regulatory protein binding sites or combinations of said sequences. Alternatively, sequences which affect the structure or stability of the RNA or protein produced may be replaced, removed, added, or otherwise modified by targeting. These sequences include polyadenylation signals, mRNA stability elements, splice sites, leader sequences for enhancing or modifying transport or secretion properties of the protein, or other sequences which alter or improve the function or stability of protein or RNA molecules.

The targeting event may be a simple insertion of the regulatory sequence, placing the gene under the control of the new regulatory sequence, e.g. inserting a new promoter or enhancer or both upstream of a gene. Alternatively, the targeting event may be a simple deletion of a regulatory element, such as the deletion of a tissue-specific negative regulatory element. Alternatively, the targeting event may replace an existing element; for example, a tissue-specific enhancer can be replaced by an enhancer that has broader or different cell-type specificity than the naturally occurring elements. Here, the naturally occurring sequences are deleted and new sequences are added. In all cases, the identification of the targeting event may be facilitated by the use of one or more selectable marker genes that are contiguous with the targeting DNA, allowing for the selection of cells in which the exogenous DNA has integrated into the cell genome. The identification of the targeting event may also be facilitated by the use of one or more marker genes exhibiting the property of negative selection, such that the negatively selectable marker is linked to the exogenous DNA, but configured such that the negatively selectable marker flanks the targeting sequence, and such that a correct homologous recombination event with sequences in the host cell genome does not result in the stable integration of the negatively selectable marker. Markers useful for this purpose include the Herpes Simplex Virus thymidine kinase (TK) gene or the bacterial xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (gpt) gene.

The gene targeting or gene activation techniques which can be used in accordance with this aspect of the invention are more particularly described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,071 to Chappel; U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,461 to Sherwin et al.; International Application No. PCT/US92/09627 (WO93/09222) by Selden et al.; and International Application No. PCT/US90/06436 (WO91/06667) by Skoultchi et al., each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

4.6 Transgenic Animals

In preferred methods to determine biological functions of the polypeptides of the invention in vivo, one or more genes provided by the invention are either over expressed or inactivated in the germ line of animals using homologous recombination [Capecchi, Science 244:1288-1292 (1989)]. Animals in which the gene is over expressed, under the regulatory control of exogenous or endogenous promoter elements, are known as transgenic animals. Animals in which an endogenous gene has been inactivated by homologous recombination are referred to as “knockout” animals. Knockout animals, preferably non-human mammals, can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,032, incorporated herein by reference. Transgenic animals are useful to determine the roles polypeptides of the invention play in biological processes, and preferably in disease states. Transgenic animals are useful as model systems to identify compounds that modulate lipid metabolism. Transgenic animals, preferably non-human mammals, are produced using methods as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,743 and PCT Publication No. WO94/28122, incorporated herein by reference.

Transgenic animals can be prepared wherein all or part of a promoter of the polynucleotides of the invention is either activated or inactivated to alter the level of expression of the polypeptides of the invention. Inactivation can be carried out using homologous recombination methods described above. Activation can be achieved by supplementing or even replacing the homologous promoter to provide for increased protein expression. The homologous promoter can be supplemented by insertion of one or more heterologous enhancer elements known to confer promoter activation in a particular tissue.

The polynucleotides of the present invention also make possible the development, through, e.g., homologous recombination or knock out strategies; of animals that fail to express functional stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide or that express a variant of stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide. Such animals are useful as models for studying the in vivo activities of stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide as well as for studying modulators of the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide.

In preferred methods to determine biological functions of the polypeptides of the invention in vivo, one or more genes provided by the invention are either over expressed or inactivated in the germ line of animals using homologous recombination [Capecchi, Science, 244:1288-1292 (1989)]. Animals in which the gene is over expressed, under the regulatory control of exogenous or endogenous promoter elements, are known as transgenic animals. Animals in which an endogenous gene has been inactivated by homologous recombination are referred to as “knockout” animals. Knockout animals, preferably non-human mammals, can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,032, incorporated herein by reference. Transgenic animals are useful to determine the roles polypeptides of the invention play in biological processes, and preferably in disease states. Transgenic animals are useful as model systems to identify compounds that modulate lipid metabolism. Transgenic animals, preferably non-human mammals, are produced using methods as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,743 and PCT Publication No. WO94/28122, incorporated herein by reference.

Transgenic animals can be prepared wherein all or part of the polynucleotides of the invention promoter is either activated or inactivated to alter the level of expression of the polypeptides of the invention. Inactivation can be carried out using homologous recombination methods described above. Activation can be achieved by supplementing or even replacing the homologous promoter to provide for increased protein expression. The homologous promoter can be supplemented by insertion of one or more heterologous enhancer elements known to confer promoter activation in a particular tissue.

4.7 Uses and Biological Activity of Human Stem Cell Growth Factor-Like Polypeptide

Polypeptides of the invention having stem cell growth factor-like activity are useful for, but not limited to, cell growth and morphogenesis, including hematopoietic stem cell growth, epithelial cell growth and regulation, ovarian follicle development, promoting nerve cell growth, sustaining neuronal populations, cartilage remodeling, wound repair, immunosuppression, and vascular remodeling. The polypeptides of the invention can therefore be employed in, but not limited to, the prophylaxis or treatment of disorders and diseases caused by or involving wound healing, growth and development, regulation of cartilage growth and development, vascular remodeling (angiogenesis), immunosuppression, follicle growth and development and neurite growth and development. Polypeptides of the invention can also be used in the production of and maintenance of transplants or epidermal grafts.

The polynucleotides and proteins of the present invention are expected to exhibit one or more of the uses or biological activities (including those associated with assays cited herein) identified herein. Uses or activities described for proteins of the present invention may be provided by administration or use of such proteins or of polynucleotides encoding such proteins (such as, for example, in gene therapies or vectors suitable for introduction of DNA). The mechanism underlying the particular condition or pathology will dictate whether the polypeptides of the invention, the polynucleotides of the invention or modulators (activators or inhibitors) thereof would be beneficial to the subject in need of treatment. Thus, “therapeutic compositions of the invention” include compositions comprising isolated polynucleotides (including recombinant DNA molecules, cloned genes and degenerate variants thereof) or polypeptides of the invention (including full length protein, mature protein and truncations or domains thereof), or compounds and other substances that modulate the overall activity of the target gene products, either at the level of target gene/protein expression or target protein activity. Such modulators include polypeptides, analogs, (variants), including fragments and fusion proteins, antibodies and other binding proteins; chemical compounds that directly or indirectly activate or inhibit the polypeptides of the invention (identified, e.g., via drug screening assays as described herein); antisense polynucleotides and polynucleotides suitable for triple helix formation; and in particular antibodies or other binding partners that specifically recognize one or more epitopes of the polypeptides of the invention.

The polypeptides of the present invention may likewise be involved in cellular activation or in one of the other physiological pathways described herein.

4.7.1 Research Uses and Utilities

The polynucleotides provided by the present invention can be used by the research community for various purposes. The polynucleotides can be used to express recombinant protein for analysis, characterization or therapeutic use; as markers for tissues in which the corresponding protein is preferentially expressed (either constitutively or at a particular stage of tissue differentiation or development or in disease states); as molecular weight markers on gels; as chromosome markers or tags (when labeled) to identify chromosomes or to map related gene positions; to compare with endogenous DNA sequences in patients to identify potential genetic disorders; as probes to hybridize and thus discover novel, related DNA sequences; as a source of information to derive PCR primers for genetic fingerprinting; as a probe to “subtract-out” known sequences in the process of discovering other novel polynucleotides; for selecting and making oligomers for attachment to a “gene chip” or other support, including for examination of expression patterns; to raise anti-protein antibodies using DNA immunization techniques; and as an antigen to raise anti-DNA antibodies or elicit another immune response. Where the polynucleotide encodes a protein which binds or potentially binds to another protein (such as, for example, in a receptor-ligand interaction), the polynucleotide can also be used in interaction trap assays [such as, for example, that described in Gyuris et al., Cell, 75:791-803 (1993)] to identify polynucleotides encoding the other protein with which binding occurs or to identify inhibitors of the binding interaction.

The polypeptides provided by the present invention can similarly be used in assays to determine biological activity, including in a panel of multiple proteins for high-throughput screening; to raise antibodies or to elicit another immune response; as a reagent (including the labeled reagent) in assays designed to quantitatively determine levels of the protein (or its receptor) in biological fluids; as markers for tissues in which the corresponding polypeptide is preferentially expressed (either constitutively or at a particular stage of tissue differentiation or development or in a disease state); and, of course, to isolate correlative receptors or ligands. Proteins involved in these binding interactions can also be used to screen for peptide or small molecule inhibitors or agonists of the binding interaction.

The polypeptides of the invention are also useful for making antibody substances that are specifically immunoreactive with stem cell growth factor-like proteins. Antibodies and portions thereof (e.g., Fab fragments) which bind to the polypeptides of the invention can be used to identify the presence of such polypeptides in a sample. Such determinations are carried out using any suitable immunoassay format, and any polypeptide of the invention that is specifically bound by the antibody can be employed as a positive control.

Any or all of these research utilities are capable of being developed into reagent grade or kit format for commercialization as research products.

Methods for performing the uses listed above are well known to those skilled in the art. References disclosing such methods include without limitation, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2d ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Sambrook, J., E. F. Fritsch and T. Maniatis eds., 1989, and Methods in Enzymology: Guide to Molecular Cloning Techniques, Academic Press, Berger, S. L. and A. R. Kimmel eds., 1987.

4.7.2 Cytokine and Cell Proliferation/Differentiation Activity

A polypeptide of the present invention may exhibit activity relating to cytokine, cell proliferation (either inducing or inhibiting) or cell differentiation (either inducing or inhibiting) activity or may induce production of other cytokines in certain cell populations. A polynucleotide of the invention can encode a polypeptide exhibiting such attributes. Many protein factors discovered to date, including all known cytokines, have exhibited activity in one or more factor-dependent cell proliferation assays, and hence the assays serve as a convenient confirmation of cytokine activity. The activity of therapeutic compositions of the present invention is evidenced by any one of a number of routine factor dependent cell proliferation assays for cell lines including, without limitation, 32D, DA2, DA1G, T10, B9, B9/11, BaF3, MC9/G, M+(preB M+), 2E8, RB5, DA1, 123, T1165, HT2, CTLL2, TF-1, Mo7e, CMK, HUVEC, and Caco. Therapeutic compositions of the invention can be used in the following:

Assays for T-cell or thymocyte proliferation include without limitation those described in: Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J. E. Coligan, A. M. Kruisbeek, D. H. Margulies, E. M. Shevach, W. Strober, Pub. Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-Interscience (Chapter 3, In Vitro assays for Mouse Lymphocyte Function 3.1-3.19; Chapter 7, Immunologic studies in Humans); Takai et al., J. Immunol. 137:3494-3500 (1986); Bertagnolli et al., J. Immunol., 145:1706-1712 (1990); Bertagnolli et al., Cellular Immunology, 133:327-341 (1991); Bertagnolli et al., I. Immunol. 149:3778-3783 (1992); and Bowman et al., I. Immunol.,152:1756-1761 (1994).

Assays for cytokine production and/or proliferation of spleen cells, lymph node cells or thymocytes include, without limitation, those described in: Polyclonal T cell stimulation, Kruisbeek, A. M. and Shevach, E. M. In Current Protocols in Immunology. J. E. e.a. Coligan eds. Vol 1, pp. 3.12.1-3.12.14, John Wiley and Sons, Toronto,1994; and Measurement of mouse and human interleukin-g, Schreiber, R. D. In Current Protocols in Immunology. J. E. e.a. Coligan eds. Vol 1, pp. 6.8.1-6.8.8, John Wiley and Sons, Toronto,1994.

Assays for proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic and lymphopoietic cells include, without limitation, those described in: Measurement of Human and Murine Interleukin 2 and Interleukin 4, Bottomly, K., Davis, L. S. and Lipsky, P. E. In Current Protocols in Immunology. J. E. e.a. Coligan eds. Vol 1, pp. 6.3.1-6.3.12, John Wiley and Sons, Toronto, 1991; deVries et al., J. Exp. Med., 173:1205-1211 (1991); Moreau et al., Nature, 336:690-692 (1988); Greenberger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 80:2931-2938 (1983); Measurement of mouse and human interleukin 6—Nordan, R. In Current Protocols in Immunology. J. E. Coligan eds. Vol 1, pp. 6.6.1-6.6.5, John Wiley and Sons, Toronto, 1991; Smith et al., Proc. Natl. Aced. Sci. U.S.A., 83:1857-1861 (1986); Measurement of human Interleukin 11-Bennett, F., Giannotti, J., Clark, S. C. and Turner, K. J. In Current Protocols in Immunology. J. E. Coligan eds. Vol 1, pp. 6.15.1 John Wiley and Sons, Toronto, 1991; Measurement of mouse and human Interleukin 9-Ciarletta, A., Giannotti, J., Clark, S. C. and Turner, K. J. In Current Protocols in Immunology. J. E. Coligan eds. Vol 1, pp. 6.13.1, John Wiley and Sons, Toronto, 1991.

Assays for T-cell clone responses to antigens (which will identify, among others, proteins that affect APC-T cell interactions as well as direct T-cell effects by measuring proliferation and cytokine production) include, without limitation, those described in: Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J. E. Coligan, A. M. Kruisbeek, D. H. Margulies, E. M. Shevach, W Strober, Pub. Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-Interscience (Chapter 3, In Vitro assays for Mouse Lymphocyte Function; Chapter 6, Cytokines and their cellular receptors; Chapter 7, Immunologic studies in Humans); Weinberger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77:6091-6095 (1980); Weinberger et al., Eur. J. Immun., 11:405-411 (1981); Takai et al., J. Immunol., 137:3494-3500 (1986); Takai et al., J. Immunol., 140:508-512 (1988).

4.7.3 Stem Cell Growth Factor Activity

A polypeptide of the present invention may exhibit stem cell growth factor activity and be involved in the proliferation, differentiation and survival of pluripotent and totipotent stem cells including primordial germ cells, embryonic stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells and/or germ line stem cells. Administration of the polypeptide of the invention to stem cells in vivo or ex vivo may maintain and expand cell populations in a totipotential or pluripotential state which would be useful for re-engineering damaged or diseased tissues, transplantation, manufacture of bio-pharmaceuticals and the development of bio-sensors. The ability to produce large quantities of human cells has important working applications for the production of human proteins which currently must be obtained from non-human sources or donors, implantation of cells to treat diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases; tissues for grafting such as bone marrow, skin, cartilage, tendons, bone, muscle (including cardiac muscle), blood vessels, cornea, neural cells, gastrointestinal cells and others; and organs for transplantation such as kidney, liver, pancreas (including islet cells), heart and lung.

It is contemplated that multiple different exogenous growth factors and/or cytokines may be administered in combination with the polypeptide of the invention to achieve the desired effect, including any of the growth factors listed herein, other stem cell maintenance factors, and specifically including stem cell factor (SCF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), Flt-3 ligand (Flt-3L), any of the interleukins, recombinant soluble IL-6 receptor fused to IL-6, macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha (MIP-1-alpha), G-CSF, GM-CSF, thrombopoietin (TPO), platelet factor 4 (PF-4), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), neural growth factors and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

Since totipotent stem cells can give rise to virtually any mature cell type, expansion of these cells in culture will facilitate the production of large quantities of mature cells. Techniques for culturing stem cells are known in the art and administration of polypeptides of the invention, optionally with other growth factors and/or cytokines, is expected to enhance the survival and proliferation of the stem cell populations. This can be accomplished by direct administration of the polypeptide of the invention to the culture medium. Alternatively, stroma cells transfected with a polynucleotide that encodes for the polypeptide of the invention can be used as a feeder layer for the stem cell populations in culture or in vivo. Stromal support cells for feeder layers may include embryonic bone marrow fibroblasts, bone marrow stromal cells, fetal liver cells, or cultured embryonic fibroblasts (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,926).

Stem cells themselves can be transfected with a polynucleotide of the invention to induce autocrine expression of the polypeptide of the invention. This will allow for generation of undifferentiated totipotential/pluripotential stem cell lines that are useful as is or that can then be differentiated into the desired mature cell types. These stable cell lines can also serve as a source of undifferentiated totipotential/pluripotential mRNA to create cDNA libraries and templates for polymerase chain reaction experiments. These studies would allow for the isolation and identification of differentially expressed genes in stem cell populations that regulate stem cell proliferation and/or maintenance.

Expansion and maintenance of totipotent stem cell populations will be useful in the treatment of many pathological conditions. For example, polypeptides of the present invention may be used to manipulate stem cells in culture to give rise to neuroepithelial cells that can be used to augment or replace cells damaged by illness, autoimmune disease, accidental damage or genetic disorders. The polypeptide of the invention may be useful for inducing the proliferation of neural cells and for the regeneration of nerve and brain tissue, i.e. for the treatment of central and peripheral nervous system diseases and neuropathies, as well as mechanical and traumatic disorders which involve degeneration, death or trauma to neural cells or nerve tissue. Furthermore, these cells can be cultured in vitro to form other differentiated cells, such as skin tissue that can be used for transplantation. In addition, the expanded stem cell populations can also be genetically altered for gene therapy purposes and to decrease host rejection of replacement tissues after grafting or implantation.

Expression of the polypeptide of the invention and its effect on stem cells can also be manipulated to achieve controlled differentiation of the stem cells into more differentiated cell types. A broadly applicable method of obtaining pure populations of a specific differentiated cell type from undifferentiated stem cell populations involves the use of a cell-type specific promoter driving a selectable marker. The selectable marker allows only cells of the desired type to survive. For example, stem cells can be induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytes [Wobus et al., Differentiation, 48:173-182, (1991); Klug et al., J. Clin. Invest., 98(1):216-224, (1998)] or skeletal muscle cells [Browder, L. W. In: Principles of Tissue Engineering eds. Lanza et al., Academic Press (1997)]. Alternatively, directed differentiation of stem cells can be accomplished by culturing the stem cells in the presence of a differentiation factor such as retinoic acid and an antagonist of the polypeptide of the invention which would inhibit the effects of endogenous stem cell factor activity and allow differentiation to proceed.

In vitro cultures of stem cells can be used to determine if the polypeptide of the invention exhibits stem cell growth factor activity. Stem cells are isolated from any one of various cell sources (including hematopoietic stem cells and embryonic stem cells) and cultured on a feeder layer, as described by Thompson et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, U.S.A., 92:7844-7848 (1995), in the presence of the polypeptide of the invention alone or in combination with other growth factors or cytokines. The ability of the polypeptide of the invention to induce stem cells proliferation is determined by colony formation on semi-solid support e.g. as described by Bernstein et al., Blood, 77:2316-2321(1991).

4.7.4 Hematopoiesis Regulating Activity

A polypeptide of the present invention may be involved in regulation of hematopoiesis and, consequently, in the treatment of myeloid or lymphoid cell disorders. Even marginal biological activity in support of colony forming cells or of factor-dependent cell lines indicates involvement in regulating hematopoiesis, e.g. in supporting the growth and proliferation of erythroid progenitor cells alone or in combination with other cytokines, thereby indicating utility, for example, in treating various anemias or for use in conjunction with irradiation/chemotherapy to stimulate the production of erythroid precursors and/or erythroid cells; in supporting the growth and proliferation of myeloid cells such as granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages (i.e., traditional colony stimulating factor activity) useful, for example, in conjunction with chemotherapy to prevent or treat consequent myelo-suppression; in supporting the growth and proliferation of megakaryocytes and consequently of platelets thereby allowing prevention or treatment of various platelet disorders such as thrombocytopenia, and generally for use in place of or complimentary to platelet transfusions; and/or in supporting the growth and proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells which are capable of maturing to any and all of the above-mentioned hematopoietic cells and therefore find therapeutic utility in various stem cell disorders (such as those usually treated with transplantation, including, without limitation, aplastic anemia and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria), as well as in repopulating the stem cell compartment post irradiation/chemotherapy, either in-vivo or ex-vivo (i.e., in conjunction with bone marrow transplantation or with peripheral progenitor cell transplantation (homologous or heterologous)) as normal cells or genetically manipulated for gene therapy.

Therapeutic compositions of the invention can be used in the following:

Suitable assays for proliferation and differentiation of various hematopoietic lines are cited above.

Assays for embryonic stem cell differentiation (which will identify, among others, proteins that influence embryonic differentiation hematopoiesis) include, without limitation, those described in: Johansson et al., Cellular Biology, 15:141-151, 1995; Keller et al., Molecular and Cellular Biology 13:473-486 (1993); McClanahan et al., Blood 81:2903-2915 (1993).

Assays for stem cell survival and differentiation (which will identify, among others, proteins that regulate lympho-hematopoiesis) include, without limitation, those described in: Methylcellulose colony forming assays, Freshney, M. G. In Culture of Hematopoietic Cells. R. I. Freshney, et al. eds. Vol pp. 265-268, Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York, N.Y. 1994; Hirayama et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:5907-5911 (1992); Primitive hematopoietic colony forming cells with high proliferative potential, McNiece, I. K. and Briddell, R. A. In Culture of Hematopoietic Cells. R. I. Freshney, et al. eds. Vol pp. 23-39, Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York, N.Y. 1994; Neben et al., Experimental Hematology 22:353-359 (1994); Cobblestone area forming cell assay, Ploemacher, R. E. In Culture of Hematopoietic Cells. R. I. Freshney, et al. eds. Vol pp. 1-21, Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York, N.Y. 1994; Long term bone marrow cultures in the presence of stromal cells, Spooncer, E., Dexter, M. and Allen, T. In Culture of Hematopoietic Cells. R. I. Freshney, et al. eds. Vol pp. 163-179, Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York, N.Y. 1994; Long term culture initiating cell assay, Sutherland, H. J. In Culture of Hematopoietic Cells. R. I. Freshney, et al. eds. Vol pp. 139-162, Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York, N.Y. 1994.

4.7.5 Tissue Growth Activity

A polypeptide of the present invention also may be involved in bone, cartilage, tendon, ligament and/or nerve tissue growth or regeneration, as well as in wound healing and tissue repair and replacement, and in healing of burns, incisions and ulcers.

A polypeptide of the present invention which induces cartilage and/or bone growth in circumstances where bone is not normally formed, has application in the healing of bone fractures and cartilage damage or defects in humans and other animals. Compositions of a polypeptide, antibody, binding partner, or other modulator of the invention may have prophylactic use in closed as well as open fracture reduction and also in the improved fixation of artificial joints. De novo bone formation induced by an osteogenic agent contributes to the repair of congenital, trauma induced, or oncologic resection induced craniofacial defects, and also is useful in cosmetic plastic surgery.

A polypeptide of this invention may also be involved in attracting bone-forming cells, stimulating growth of bone-forming cells, or inducing differentiation of progenitors of bone-forming cells. Treatment of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, bone degenerative disorders, or periodontal disease, such as through stimulation of bone and/or cartilage repair or by blocking inflammation or processes of tissue destruction (collagenase activity, osteoclast activity, etc.) mediated by inflammatory processes may also be possible using the composition of the invention.

Another category of tissue regeneration activity that may involve the polypeptide of the present invention is tendon/ligament formation. Induction of tendon/ligament-like tissue or other tissue formation in circumstances where such tissue is not normally formed, has application in the healing of tendon or ligament tears, deformities and other tendon or ligament defects in humans and other animals. Such a preparation employing a tendon/ligament-like tissue inducing protein may have prophylactic use in preventing damage to tendon or ligament tissue, as well as use in the improved fixation of tendon or ligament to bone or other tissues, and in repairing defects to tendon or ligament tissue. De novo tendon/ligament-like tissue formation induced by a composition of the present invention contributes to the repair of congenital, trauma induced, or other tendon or ligament defects of other origin, and is also useful in cosmetic plastic surgery for attachment or repair of tendons or ligaments. The compositions of the present invention may provide environment to attract tendon- or ligament-forming cells, stimulate growth of tendon- or ligament-forming cells, induce differentiation of progenitors of tendon- or ligament-forming cells, or induce growth of tendon/ligament cells or progenitors ex vivo for return in vivo to effect tissue repair. The compositions of the invention may also be useful in the treatment of tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and other tendon or ligament defects. The compositions may also include an appropriate matrix and/or sequestering agent as a carrier as is well known in the art.

The compositions of the present invention may also be useful for proliferation of neural cells and for regeneration of nerve and brain tissue, i.e. for the treatment of central and peripheral nervous system diseases and neuropathies, as well as mechanical and traumatic disorders, which involve degeneration, death or trauma to neural cells or nerve tissue. More specifically, a composition may be used in the treatment of diseases of the peripheral nervous system, such as peripheral nerve injuries, peripheral neuropathy and localized neuropathies, and central nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Shy-Drager syndrome. Further conditions which may be treated in accordance with the present invention include mechanical and traumatic disorders, such as spinal cord disorders, head trauma and cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke. Peripheral neuropathies resulting from chemotherapy or other medical therapies may also be treatable using a composition of the invention.

Compositions of the invention may also be useful to promote better or faster closure of non-healing wounds, including without limitation pressure ulcers, ulcers associated with vascular insufficiency, surgical and traumatic wounds, and the like.

Compositions of the present invention may also be involved in the generation or regeneration of other tissues, such as organs (including, for example, pancreas, liver, intestine, kidney, skin, endothelium), muscle (smooth, skeletal or cardiac) and vascular (including vascular endothelium) tissue, or for promoting the growth of cells comprising such tissues. Part of the desired effects may be by inhibition or modulation of fibrotic scarring may allow normal tissue to regenerate. A polypeptide of the present invention may also exhibit angiogenic activity.

A composition of the present invention may also be useful for gut protection or regeneration and treatment of lung or liver fibrosis, reperfusion injury in various tissues, and conditions resulting from systemic cytokine damage.

A composition of the present invention may also be useful for promoting or inhibiting differentiation of tissues described above from precursor tissues or cells; or for inhibiting the growth of tissues described above.

Therapeutic compositions of the invention can be used in the following:

Assays for tissue generation activity include, without limitation, those described in:

International Patent Publication No. WO95/16035 (bone, cartilage, tendon); International Patent Publication No. WO95/05846 (nerve, neuronal); International Patent Publication No. WO91/07491 (skin, endothelium).

Assays for wound healing activity include, without limitation, those described in: Winter, Epidermal Wound Healing, pp. 71-112 (Maibach, H. 1. and Rovee, D. T., eds.), Year Book Medical Publishers, Inc., Chicago, as modified by Eaglstein and Mertz, J. Invest. Dermatol, 71:382-84 (1978).

4.7.6 Immune Function Stimulating or Suppressing Activity

A polypeptide of the present invention may also exhibit immune stimulating or immune suppressing activity, including without limitation the activities for which assays are described herein. A polynucleotide of the invention can encode a polypeptide exhibiting such activities. A protein may be useful in the treatment of various immune deficiencies and disorders (including severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)), e.g., in regulating (up or down) growth and proliferation of T and/or B lymphocytes, as well as effecting the cytolytic activity of NK cells and other cell populations. These immune deficiencies may be genetic or be caused by viral (e.g., HIV) as well as bacterial or fungal infections, or may result from autoimmune disorders. More specifically, infectious diseases causes by viral, bacterial, fungal or other infection may be treatable using a protein of the present invention, including infections by HIV, hepatitis viruses, herpes viruses, mycobacteria, Leishmania spp., malaria spp. and various fungal infections such as candidiasis. Of course, in this regard, proteins of the present invention may also be useful where a boost to the immune system generally may be desirable, i.e., in the treatment of cancer.

Autoimmune disorders which may be treated using a protein of the present invention include, for example, connective tissue disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune pulmonary inflammation, Guillain-Barre syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, insulin dependent diabetes mellitis, myasthenia gravis, graft-versus-host disease and autoimmune inflammatory eye disease. Such a protein (or antagonists thereof, including antibodies) of the present invention may also to be useful in the treatment of allergic reactions and conditions (e.g., anaphylaxis, serum sickness, drug reactions, food allergies, insect venom allergies, mastocytosis, allergic rhinitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, urticaria, angioedema, eczema, atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, venereal keratoconjunctivitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis and contact allergies), such as asthma (particularly allergic asthma) or other respiratory problems. Other conditions, in which immune suppression is desired (including, for example, organ transplantation), may also be treatable using a protein (or antagonists thereof) of the present invention. The therapeutic effects of the polypeptides or antagonists thereof on allergic reactions can be evaluated by in vivo animals models such as the cumulative contact enhancement test (Lastbom et al., Toxicology, 125:59-66 (1998)), skin prick test (Hoffmann et al., Allergy, 54: 446-54 (1999)), guinea pig skin sensitization test (Vohr et al., Arch. Toxocol., 73:501-9), and murine local lymph node assay (Kimber et al., J. Toxicol. Environ. Health, 53:563-79).

Using the proteins of the invention it may also be possible to modulate immune responses, in a number of ways. Down regulation may be in the form of inhibiting or blocking an immune response already in progress or may involve preventing the induction of an immune response. The functions of activated T cells may be inhibited by suppressing T cell responses or by inducing specific tolerance in T cells, or both. Immunosuppression of T cell responses is generally an active, non-antigen-specific, process which requires continuous exposure of the T cells to the suppressive agent. Tolerance, which involves inducing non-responsiveness or anergy in T cells, is distinguishable from immunosuppression in that it is generally antigen-specific and persists after exposure to the tolerizing agent has ceased. Operationally, tolerance can be demonstrated by the lack of a T cell response upon reexposure to specific antigen in the absence of the tolerizing agent.

Down regulating or preventing one or more antigen functions (including without limitation B lymphocyte antigen functions (such as, for example, B7)), e.g., preventing high level lymphokine synthesis by activated T cells, will be useful in situations of tissue, skin and organ transplantation and in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). For example, blockage of T cell function should result in reduced tissue destruction in tissue transplantation. Typically, in tissue transplants, rejection of the transplant is initiated through its recognition as foreign by T cells, followed by an immune reaction that destroys the transplant. The administration of a therapeutic composition of the invention may prevent cytokine synthesis by immune cells, such as T cells, and thus acts as an immunosuppressant. Moreover, a lack of costimulation may also be sufficient to anergize the T cells, thereby inducing tolerance in a subject. Induction of long-term tolerance by B lymphocyte antigen-blocking reagents may avoid the necessity of repeated administration of these blocking reagents. To achieve sufficient immunosuppression or tolerance in a subject, it may also be necessary to block the function of a combination of B lymphocyte antigens.

The efficacy of particular therapeutic compositions in preventing organ transplant rejection or GVHD can be assessed using animal models that are predictive of efficacy in humans. Examples of appropriate systems which can be used include allogeneic cardiac grafts in rats and xenogeneic pancreatic islet cell grafts in mice, both of which have been used to examine the immunosuppressive effects of CTLA4Ig fusion proteins in vivo as described in Lenschow et al., Science 257:789-792 (1992) and Turka et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, 89:11102-11105 (1992). In addition, murine models of GVHD [see Paul ed., Fundamental Immunology, Raven Press, New York, 1989, pp. 846-847] can be used to determine the effect of therapeutic compositions of the invention on the development of that disease.

Blocking antigen function may also be therapeutically useful for treating autoimmune diseases. Many autoimmune disorders are the result of inappropriate activation of T cells that are reactive against self tissue and which promote the production of cytokines and autoantibodies involved in the pathology of the diseases. Preventing the activation of autoreactive T cells may reduce or eliminate disease symptoms. Administration of reagents which block stimulation of T cells can be used to inhibit T cell activation and prevent production of autoantibodies or T cell-derived cytokines which may be involved in the disease process. Additionally, blocking reagents may induce antigen-specific tolerance of autoreactive T cells which could lead to long-term relief from the disease. The efficacy of blocking reagents in preventing or alleviating autoimmune disorders can be determined using a number of well-characterized animal models of human autoimmune diseases. Examples include murine experimental autoimmune encephalitis, systemic lupus erythematosus in MRL/lpr/lpr mice or NZB hybrid mice, murine autoimmune collagen arthritis, diabetes mellitus in NOD mice and BB rats, and murine experimental myasthenia gravis [see Paul ed., Fundamental Immunology, Raven Press, New York, 1989, pp. 840-856].

Upregulation of an antigen function (e.g., a B lymphocyte antigen function), as a means of up regulating immune responses, may also be useful in therapy. Upregulation of immune responses may be in the form of enhancing an existing immune response or eliciting an initial immune response. For example, enhancing an immune response may be useful in cases of viral infection, including systemic viral diseases such as influenza, the common cold, and encephalitis.

Alternatively, anti-viral immune responses may be enhanced in an infected patient by removing T cells from the patient, costimulating the T cells in vitro with viral antigen-pulsed APCs either expressing a peptide of the present invention or together with a stimulatory form of a soluble peptide of the present invention and reintroducing the in vitro activated T cells into the patient. Another method of enhancing anti-viral immune responses would be to isolate infected cells from a patient, transfect them with a nucleic acid encoding a protein of the present invention as described herein such that the cells express all or a portion of the protein on their surface, and reintroduce the transfected cells into the patient. The infected cells would now be capable of delivering a costimulatory signal to, and thereby activate, T cells in vivo.

A polypeptide of the present invention may provide the necessary stimulation signal to T cells to induce a T cell mediated immune response against the transfected tumor cells. In addition, tumor cells which lack MHC class I or MHC class II molecules, or which fail to reexpress sufficient mounts of MHC class I or MHC class II molecules, can be transfected with nucleic acid encoding all or a portion of (e.g., a cytoplasmic-domain truncated portion) of an MHC class I alpha chain protein and b₂ microglobulin protein or an MHC class II alpha chain protein and an MHC class II beta chain protein to thereby express MHC class I or MHC class II proteins on the cell surface. Expression of the appropriate class I or class II MHC in conjunction with a peptide having the activity of a B lymphocyte antigen (e.g., B7-1, B7-2, B7-3) induces a T cell mediated immune response against the transfected tumor cell. Optionally, a gene encoding an antisense construct which blocks expression of an MHC class II associated protein, such as the invariant chain, can also be cotransfected with a DNA encoding a peptide having the activity of a B lymphocyte antigen to promote presentation of tumor associated antigens and induce tumor specific immunity. Thus, the induction of a T cell mediated immune response in a human subject may be sufficient to overcome tumor-specific tolerance in the subject.

The activity of a protein of the invention may, among other means, be measured by the following methods:

Suitable assays for thymocyte or splenocyte cytotoxicity include, without limitation, those described in: Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J. E. Coligan, A. M. Kruisbeek, D. H. Margulies, E. M. Shevach, W. Strober, Pub. Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-Interscience (Chapter 3, In Vitro assays for Mouse Lymphocyte Function 3.1-3.19; Chapter 7, Immunologic studies in Humans); Herrmann et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 78:2488-2492 (1981); Herrmann et al., J. Immunol., 128:1968-1974 (1982); Handa et al., J. Immunol., 135:1564-1572 (1985); Takai et al., I. Immunol., 137:3494-3500 (1986); Takai et al., J. Immunol., 140:508-512 (1988); Bowman et al., J. Virology, 61:1992-1998; Bertagnolli et al., Cellular Immunology, 133:327-341 (1991); Brown et al., J. Immunol., 153:3079-3092 (1994).

Assays for T-cell-dependent immunoglobulin responses and isotype switching (which will identify, among others, proteins that modulate T-cell dependent antibody responses and that affect Th1/Th2 profiles) include, without limitation, those described in: Maliszewski, J. Immunol. 144:3028-3033 (1990); and Assays for B cell function: In vitro antibody production, Mond, J. J. and Brunswick, M. In Current Protocols in Immunology. J. E. e.a. Coligan eds. Vol 1, pp. 3.8.1-3.8.16, John Wiley and Sons, Toronto, 1994.

Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assays (which will identify, among others, proteins that generate predominantly Th1 and CTL responses) include, without limitation, those described in: Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J. E. Coligan, A. M. Kruisbeek, D. H. Margulies, E. M. Shevach, W. Strober, Pub. Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-Interscience (Chapter 3, In Vitro assays for Mouse Lymphocyte Function 3.1-3.19; Chapter 7, Immunologic studies in Humans); Takai et al., J. Immunol., 137:3494-3500 (1986); Takai et al., J. Immunol., 140:508-512 (1988); Bertagnolli et al., J. Immunol., 149:3778-3783 (1992).

Dendritic cell-dependent assays (which will identify, among others, proteins expressed by dendritic cells that activate naive T-cells) include, without limitation, those described in: Guery et al., J. Immunol. 134:536-544 (1995); Inaba et al., Journal of Experimental Medicine, 173:549-559 (1991); Macatonia et al., Journal of Immunology, 154:5071-5079 (1995); Porgador et al., Journal of Experimental Medicine, 182:255-260 (1995); Nair et al., Journal of Virology, 67:4062-4069 (1993); Huang et al., Science, 264:961-965 (1994); Macatonia et al., Journal of Experimental Medicine 169:1255-1264 (1989); Bhardwaj et al., Journal of Clinical Investigation 94:797-807 (1994); and Inaba et al., Journal of Experimental Medicine, 172:631-640 (1990).

Assays for lymphocyte survival/apoptosis (which will identify, among others, proteins that prevent apoptosis after superantigen induction and proteins that regulate lymphocyte homeostasis) include, without limitation, those described in: Darzynkiewicz et al., Cytometry 13:795-808 (1992); Gorczyca et al., Leukemia, 7:659-670 (1993); Gorczyca et al., Cancer Research, 53:1945-1951 (1993); Itoh et al., Cell, 66:233-243 (1991); Zacharchuk, Journal of Immunology, 145:4037-4045 (1990); Zamai et al., Cytometry, 14:891-897 (1993); Gorczyca et al., International Journal of Oncology 1:639-648 (1992).

Assays for proteins that influence early steps of T-cell commitment and development include, without limitation, those described in: Antica et al., Blood, 84:111-117 (1994); Fine et al., Cellular Immunology, 155:111-122 (1994); Galy et al., Blood, 85:2770-2778 (1995); Toki et al., Proc. Nat. Acad Sci. USA, 88:7548-7551 (1991).

4.7.7 Chemotactic/Chemokinetic Activity

A polypeptide of the present invention may be involved in chemotactic or chemokinetic activity for mammalian cells, including, for example, monocytes, fibroblasts, neutrophils, T-cells, mast cells, eosinophils, epithelial and/or endothelial cells. A polynucleotide of the invention can encode a polypeptide exhibiting such attributes. Chemotactic and chemokinetic receptor activation can be used to mobilize or attract a desired cell population to a desired site of action. Chemotactic or chemokinetic compositions (e.g. proteins, antibodies, binding partners, or modulators of the invention) provide particular advantages in treatment of wounds and other trauma to tissues, as well as in treatment of localized infections. For example, attraction of lymphocytes, monocytes or neutrophils to tumors or sites of infection may result in improved immune responses against the tumor or infecting agent.

A protein or peptide has chemotactic activity for a particular cell population if it can stimulate, directly or indirectly, the directed orientation or movement of such cell population. Preferably, the protein or peptide has the ability to directly stimulate directed movement of cells. Whether a particular protein has chemotactic activity for a population of cells can be readily determined by employing such protein or peptide in any known assay for cell chemotaxis.

Therapeutic compositions of the invention can be used in the following:

Assays for chemotactic activity (which will identify proteins that induce or prevent chemotaxis) consist of assays that measure the ability of a protein to induce the migration of cells across a membrane as well as the ability of a protein to induce the adhesion of one cell population to another cell population. Suitable assays for movement and adhesion include, without limitation, those described in: Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J. E. Coligan, A. M. Kruisbeek, D. H. Marguiles, E. M. Shevach, W. Strober, Pub. Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-Interscience (Chapter 6.12, Measurement of alpha and beta Chemokines 6.12.1-6.12.28; Taub et al. J. Clin. Invest., 95:1370-1376 (1995); Lind et al., APMIS, 103:140-146 (1995); Muller et al., Eur. J. Immunol., 25:1744-1748; Gruber et al., J. of Immunol., 152:5860-5867 (1994); Johnston et al. J. of Immunol., 153:1762-1768 (1994).

4.7.8 Hemostatic and Thrombolytic Activity

A polypeptide of the invention may also be involved in hemostatis or thrombolysis or thrombosis. A polynucleotide of the invention can encode a polypeptide exhibiting such attributes. Compositions may be useful in treatment of various coagulation disorders (including hereditary disorders, such as hemophilias) or to enhance coagulation and other hemostatic events in treating wounds resulting from trauma, surgery or other causes. A composition of the invention may also be useful for dissolving or inhibiting formation of thromboses and for treatment and prevention of conditions resulting therefrom (such as, for example, infarction of cardiac and central nervous system vessels (e.g., stroke).

Therapeutic compositions of the invention can be used in the following:

Assay for hemostatic and thrombolytic activity include, without limitation, those described in: Linet et al., J. Clin. Pharmacol., 26:131-140 (1986); Burdick et al., Thrombosis Res., 45:413-419 (1987); Humphrey et al., Fibrinolysis, 5:71-79 (1991); and Schaub, Prostaglandins 35:467-474 (1988).

4.7.9 Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Polypeptides of the invention may be involved in cancer cell generation, proliferation or metastasis. Detection of the presence or amount of polynucleotides or polypeptides of the invention may be useful for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of one or more types of cancer. For example, the presence or increased expression of a polynucleotide/polypeptide of the invention may indicate a hereditary risk of cancer, a precancerous condition, or an ongoing malignancy. Conversely, a defect in the gene or absence of the polypeptide may be associated with a cancer condition. Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with cancer or a predisposition to cancer may also be useful for diagnosis or prognosis.

Cancer treatments promote tumor regression by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, inhibiting angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels that is necessary to support tumor growth) and/or prohibiting metastasis by reducing tumor cell motility or invasiveness. Therapeutic compositions of the invention may be effective in adult and pediatric oncology including in solid phase tumors/malignancies, locally advanced tumors, human soft tissue sarcomas, metastatic cancer, including lymphatic metastases, blood cell malignancies including multiple myeloma, acute and chronic leukemias, and lymphomas, head and neck cancers including mouth cancer, larynx cancer and thyroid cancer, lung cancers including small cell carcinoma and non-small cell cancers, breast cancers including small cell carcinoma and ductal carcinoma, gastrointestinal cancers including esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, colorectal cancer and polyps associated with colorectal neoplasia, pancreatic cancers, liver cancer, urologic cancers including bladder cancer and prostate cancer, malignancies of the female genital tract including ovarian carcinoma, uterine (including endometrial) cancers, and solid tumor in the ovarian follicle, kidney cancers including renal cell carcinoma, brain cancers including intrinsic brain tumors, neuroblastoma, astrocytic brain tumors, gliomas, metastatic tumor cell invasion in the central nervous system, bone cancers including osteomas, skin cancers including malignant melanoma, tumor progression of human skin keratinocytes, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, hemangiopericytoma and Karposi's sarcoma.

Polypeptides, polynucleotides, or modulators of polypeptides of the invention (including inhibitors and stimulators of the biological activity of the polypeptide of the invention) may be administered to treat cancer. Therapeutic compositions can be administered in therapeutically effective dosages alone or in combination with adjuvant cancer therapy such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, thermotherapy, and laser therapy, and may provide a beneficial effect, e.g. reducing tumor size, slowing rate of tumor growth, inhibiting metastasis, or otherwise improving overall clinical condition, without necessarily eradicating the cancer.

The composition can also be administered in therapeutically effective amounts as a portion of an anti-cancer cocktail. An anti-cancer cocktail is a mixture of the polypeptide or modulator of the invention with one or more anti-cancer drugs in addition to a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for delivery. The use of anti-cancer cocktails as a cancer treatment is routine. Anti-cancer drugs that are well known in the art and can be used as a treatment in combination with the polypeptide or modulator of the invention include: Actinomycin D, Aminoglutethimide, Asparaginase, Bleomycin, Busulfan, Carboplatin, Carmustine, Chlorambucil, Cisplatin (cis-DDP), Cyclophosphamide, Cytarabine HCl (Cytosine arabinoside), Dacarbazine, Dactinomycin, Daunorubicin HCl, Doxorubicin HCl, Estramustine phosphate sodium, Etoposide (V16-213), Floxuridine, 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu), Flutamide, Hydroxyurea (hydroxycarbamide), Ifosfamide, Interferon Alpha-2a, Interferon Alpha-2b, Leuprolide acetate (LHRH-releasing factor analog), Lomustine, Mechlorethamine HCl (nitrogen mustard), Melphalan, Mercaptopurine, Mesna, Methotrexate (MTX), Mitomycin, Mitoxantrone HCl, Octreotide, Plicamycin, Procarbazine HCl, Streptozocin, Tamoxifen citrate, Thioguanine, Thiotepa, Vinblastine sulfate, Vincristine sulfate, Amsacrine, Azacitidine, Hexamethylmelamine, Interleukin-2, Mitoguazone, Pentostatin, Semustine, Teniposide, and Vindesine sulfate.

In addition, therapeutic compositions of the invention may be used for prophylactic treatment of cancer. There are hereditary conditions and/or environmental situations (e.g. exposure to carcinogens) known in the art that predispose an individual to developing cancers. Under these circumstances, it may be beneficial to treat these individuals with therapeutically effective doses of the polypeptide of the invention to reduce the risk of developing cancers.

In vitro models can be used to determine the effective doses of the polypeptide of the invention as a potential cancer treatment. These in vitro models include proliferation assays of cultured tumor cells, growth of cultured tumor cells in soft agar (see Freshney, (1987) Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique, Wily-Liss, New York, N.Y. Ch 18 and Ch 21), tumor systems in nude mice as described in Giovanella et al., J. Natl. Can. Inst., 52:921-30 (1974), mobility and invasive potential of tumor cells in Boyden Chamber assays as described in Pilkington et al., Anticancer Res., 17:4107-9 (1997), and angiogenesis assays such as induction of vascularization of the chick chorioallantoic membrane or induction of vascular endothelial cell migration as described in Ribatta et al., Intl. J. Dev. Biol., 40:1189-97 (1999) and Li et al., Clin. Exp. Metastasis, 17:423-9 (1999), respectively. Suitable tumor cells lines are available, e.g. from American Type Tissue Culture Collection catalogs.

4.7.10 Receptor/Ligand Activity

A polypeptide of the present invention may also demonstrate activity as receptor, receptor ligand or inhibitor or agonist of receptor/ligand interactions. A polynucleotide of the invention can encode a polypeptide exhibiting such characteristics. Examples of such receptors and ligands include, without limitation, cytokine receptors and their ligands, receptor kinases and their ligands, receptor phosphatases and their ligands, receptors involved in cell-cell interactions and their ligands (including without limitation, cellular adhesion molecules (such as selecting, integrins and their ligands) and receptor/ligand pairs involved in antigen presentation, antigen recognition and development of cellular and humoral immune responses. Receptors and ligands are also useful for screening of potential peptide or small molecule inhibitors of the relevant receptor/ligand interaction. A protein of the present invention (including, without limitation, fragments of receptors and ligands) may themselves be useful as inhibitors of receptor/ligand interactions.

The activity of a polypeptide of the invention may, among other means, be measured by the following methods:

Suitable assays for receptor-ligand activity include without limitation those described in: Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J. E. Coligan, A. M. Kruisbeek, D. H. Margulies, E. M. Shevach, W. Strober, Pub. Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-Interscience (Chapter 7.28, Measurement of Cellular Adhesion under static conditions 7.28.1-7.28.22), Takai et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA,84:6864-6868 (1987); Bierer et al., J. Exp. Med., 168:1145-1156 (1988); Rosenstein et al., J. Exp. Med., 169:149-160 (1989); Stoltenborg et al., J. Immunol. Methods, 175:59-68 (1994); Stitt et al., Cell, 80:661-670 (1995).

By way of example, the polypeptides of the invention may be used as a receptor for a ligand(s) thereby transmitting the biological activity of that ligand(s). Ligands may be identified through binding assays, affinity chromatography, dihybrid screening assays, BIAcore assays, gel overlay assays, or other methods known in the art.

Studies characterizing drugs or proteins as agonist or antagonist or partial agonists or a partial antagonist require the use of other proteins as competing ligands. The polypeptides of the present invention or ligand(s) thereof may be labeled by being coupled to radioisotopes, colorimetric molecules or a toxin molecules by conventional methods. (“Guide to Protein Purification” Murray P. Deutscher (ed) Methods in Enzymology Vol. 182 (1990) Academic Press, Inc. San Diego). Examples of radioisotopes include, but are not limited to, tritium and carbon-14. Examples of colorimetric molecules include, but are not limited to, fluorescent molecules such as fluorescamine, or rhodamine or other colorimetric molecules. Examples of toxins include, but are not limited, to ricin.

4.7.11 Drug Screening

This invention is particularly useful for screening chemical compounds by using the novel polypeptides or binding fragments thereof in any of a variety of drug screening techniques. The polypeptides or fragments employed in such a test may either be free in solution, affixed to a solid support, borne on a cell surface or located intracellularly. One method of drug screening utilizes eukaryotic or prokaryotic host cells which are stably transformed with recombinant nucleic acids expressing the polypeptide or a fragment thereof. Drugs are screened against such transformed cells in competitive binding assays. Such cells, either in viable or fixed form, can be used for standard binding assays. One may measure, for example, the formation of complexes between polypeptides of the invention or fragments and the agent being tested or examine the diminution in complex formation between the novel polypeptides and an appropriate cell line, which are well known in the art.

Sources for test compounds that may be screened for ability to bind to or modulate (i.e., increase or decrease) the activity of polypeptides of the invention include (1) inorganic and organic chemical libraries, (2) natural product libraries, and (3) combinatorial libraries comprised of either random or mimetic peptides, oligonucleotides or organic molecules.

Chemical libraries may be readily synthesized or purchased from a number of commercial sources, and may include structural analogs of known compounds or compounds that are identified as “hits” or “leads” via natural product screening.

The sources of natural product libraries are microorganisms (including bacteria and fungi), animals, plants or other vegetation, or marine organisms, and libraries of mixtures for screening may be created by: (1) fermentation and extraction of broths from soil, plant or marine microorganisms or (2) extraction of the organisms themselves. Natural product libraries include polyketides, non-ribosomal peptides, and (non-naturally occurring) variants thereof. For a review, see Science, 282:63-68 (1998).

Combinatorial libraries are composed of large numbers of peptides, oligonucleotides or organic compounds and can be readily prepared by traditional automated synthesis methods, PCR, cloning or proprietary synthetic methods. Of particular interest are peptide and oligonucleotide combinatorial libraries. Still other libraries of interest include peptide, protein, peptidomimetic, multiparallel synthetic collection, recombinatorial, and polypeptide libraries. For a review of combinatorial chemistry and libraries created therefrom, see Myers, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol., 8:701-707 (1997). For reviews and examples of peptidomimetic libraries, see Al-Obeidi et al., Mol. Biotechnol, 9(3):205-23 (1998); Hruby et al., Curr Opin Chem Biol, 1(1):114-19 (1997); Dorner et al., Bioorg Med Chem, 4(5):709-15 (1996) (alkylated dipeptides).

Identification of modulators through use of the various libraries described herein permits modification of the candidate “hit” (or “lead”) to optimize the capacity of the “hit” to bind a polypeptide of the invention. The molecules identified in the binding assay are then tested for antagonist or agonist activity in in vivo tissue culture or animal models that are well known in the art. In brief, the molecules are titrated into a plurality of cell cultures or animals and then tested for either cell/animal death or prolonged survival of the animal/cells.

The binding molecules thus identified may be complexed with toxins, e.g., ricin or cholera, or with other compounds that are toxic to cells such as radioisotopes. The toxin-binding molecule complex is then targeted to a tumor or other cell by the specificity of the binding molecule for a polypeptide of the invention. Alternatively, the binding molecules may be complexed with imaging agents for targeting and imaging purposes.

4.7.12 Assay for Receptor Activity

The invention also provides methods to detect specific binding of a polypeptide e.g. a ligand or a receptor. The art provides numerous assays particularly useful for identifying previously unknown binding partners for receptor polypeptides of the invention. For example, expression cloning using mammalian or bacterial cells, or dihybrid screening assays can be used to identify polynucleotides encoding binding partners. As another example, affinity chromatography with the appropriate immobilized polypeptide of the invention can be used to isolate polypeptides that recognize and bind polypeptides of the invention. There are a number of different libraries used for the identification of compounds, and in particular small molecules, that modulate (i.e., increase or decrease) biological activity of a polypeptide of the invention. Ligands for receptor polypeptides of the invention can also be identified by adding exogenous ligands, or cocktails of ligands to two cells populations that are genetically identical except for the expression of the receptor of the invention: one cell population expresses the receptor of the invention whereas the other does not. The response of the two cell populations to the addition of ligands(s) are then compared. Alternatively, an expression library can be co-expressed with the polypeptide of the invention in cells and assayed for an autocrine response to identify potential ligand(s). As still another example, BIAcore assays, gel overlay assays, or other methods known in the art can be used to identify binding partner polypeptides, including, (1) organic and inorganic chemical libraries, (2) natural product libraries, and (3) combinatorial libraries comprised of random peptides, oligonucleotides or organic molecules.

The role of downstream intracellular signaling molecules in the signaling cascade of the polypeptide of the invention can be determined. For example, a chimeric protein in which the cytoplasmic domain of the polypeptide of the invention is fused to the extracellular portion of a protein, whose ligand has been identified, is produced in a host cell. The cell is then incubated with the ligand specific for the extracellular portion of the chimeric protein, thereby activating the chimeric receptor. Known downstream proteins involved in intracellular signaling can then be assayed for expected modifications i.e. phosphorylation. Other methods known to those in the art can also be used to identify signaling molecules involved in receptor activity.

4.7.13 Leukemias

Leukemias and related disorders may be treated or prevented by administration of a therapeutic that promotes or inhibits function of the polynucleotides and/or polypeptides of the invention. Such leukemias and related disorders include but are not limited to acute leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, myeloblastic, promyelocytic, myelomonocytic, monocytic, erythroleukemia, chronic leukemia, chronic myelocytic (granulocytic) leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (for a review of such disorders, see Fishman et al., 1985, Medicine, 2d Ed., J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia).

4.7.14 Other Activities

A polypeptide of the invention may also exhibit one or more of the following additional activities or effects: inhibiting the growth, infection or function of, or killing, infectious agents, including, without limitation, bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites; effecting (suppressing or enhancing) bodily characteristics, including, without limitation, height, weight, hair color, eye color, skin, fat to lean ratio or other tissue pigmentation, or organ or body part size or shape (such as, for example, breast augmentation or diminution, change in bone form or shape); effecting biorhythms or circadian cycles or rhythms; effecting the fertility of male or female subjects; effecting the metabolism, catabolism, anabolism, processing, utilization, storage or elimination of dietary fat, lipid, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, co-factors or other nutritional factors or component(s); effecting behavioral characteristics, including, without limitation, appetite, libido, stress, cognition (including cognitive disorders), depression (including depressive disorders) and violent behaviors; providing analgesic effects or other pain reducing effects; promoting differentiation and growth of embryonic stem cells in lineages other than hematopoietic lineages; hormonal or endocrine activity; in the case of enzymes, correcting deficiencies of the enzyme and treating deficiency-related diseases; treatment of hyperproliferative disorders (such as, for example, psoriasis); immunoglobulin-like activity (such as, for example, the ability to bind antigens or complement); and the ability to act as an antigen in a vaccine composition to raise an immune response against such protein or another material or entity which is cross-reactive with such protein.

4.7.15 Identification of Polymorphisms

The demonstration of polymorphisms makes possible the identification of such polymorphisms in human subjects and the pharmacogenetic use of this information for diagnosis and treatment. Such polymorphisms may be associated with, e.g., differential predisposition or susceptibility to various disease states (such as disorders involving inflammation or immune response) or a differential response to drug administration, and this genetic information can be used to tailor preventive or therapeutic treatment appropriately. For example, the existence of a polymorphism associated with a predisposition to inflammation or autoimmune disease makes possible the diagnosis of this condition in humans by identifying the presence of the polymorphism.

Polymorphisms can be identified in a variety of ways known in the art which all generally involve obtaining a sample from a patient, analyzing DNA from the sample, optionally involving isolation or amplification of the DNA, and identifying the presence of the polymorphism in the DNA. For example, PCR may be used to amplify an appropriate fragment of genomic DNA which may then be sequenced. Alternatively, the DNA may be subjected to allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization (in which appropriate oligonucleotides are hybridized to the DNA under conditions permitting detection of a single base mismatch) or to a single nucleotide extension assay (in which an oligonucleotide that hybridizes immediately adjacent to the position of the polymorphism is extended with one or more labeled nucleotides). In addition, traditional restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (using restriction enzymes that provide differential digestion of the genomic DNA depending on the presence or absence of the polymorphism) may be performed. Arrays with nucleotide sequences of the present invention can be used to detect polymorphisms. The array can comprise modified nucleotide sequences of the present invention in order to detect the nucleotide sequences of the present invention. In the alternative, any one of the nucleotide sequences of the present invention can be placed on the array to detect changes from those sequences.

Alternatively a polymorphism resulting in a change in the amino acid sequence could also be detected by detecting a corresponding change in amino acid sequence of the protein, e.g., by an antibody specific to the variant sequence.

4.7.16 Arthritis and Inflammation

The immunosuppressive effects of the compositions of the invention against rheumatoid arthritis is determined in an experimental animal model system. The experimental model system is adjuvant induced arthritis in rats, and the protocol is described by J. Holoshitz, et at., 1983, Science, 219:56, or by B. Waksman et al., Int. Arch. Allergy Appl. Immunol., 23:129 (1963). Induction of the disease can be caused by a single injection, generally intradermally, of a suspension of killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The route of injection can vary, but rats may be injected at the base of the tail with an adjuvant mixture. The polypeptide is administered in phosphate buffered solution (PBS) at a dose of about 1-5 mg/kg. The control consists of administering PBS only.

The procedure for testing the effects of the test compound would consist of intradermally injecting killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis in CFA followed by immediately administering the test compound and subsequent treatment every other day until day 24. At 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, and 24 days after injection of Mycobacterium CFA, an overall arthritis score may be obtained as described by J. Holoskitz above. An analysis of the data would reveal that the test compound would have a dramatic affect on the swelling of the joints as measured by a decrease of the arthritis score.

4.8 Therapeutic Methods

The compositions (including polypeptide fragments, analogs, variants and antibodies or other binding partners or modulators including antisense polynucleotides) of the invention have numerous applications in a variety of therapeutic methods. Examples of therapeutic applications include, but are not limited to, those exemplified herein.

4.8.1 Example

One embodiment of the invention is the administration of an effective amount of the stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides or other composition of the invention to individuals affected by a disease or disorder that can be modulated by regulating the peptides of the invention. While the mode of administration is not particularly important, parenteral administration is preferred. An exemplary mode of administration is to deliver an intravenous bolus. The dosage of stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides or other composition of the invention will normally be determined by the prescribing physician. It is to be expected that the dosage will vary according to the age, weight, condition and response of the individual patient. Typically, the amount of polypeptide administered per dose will be in the range of about 0.01 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg of body weight, with the preferred dose being about 0.1 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg of patient body weight. For parenteral administration, stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides of the invention will be formulated in an injectable form combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable parenteral vehicle. Such vehicles are well known in the art and examples include water, saline, Ringer's solution, dextrose solution, and solutions consisting of small amounts of the human serum albumin. The vehicle may contain minor amounts of additives that maintain the isotonicity and stability of the polypeptide or other active ingredient. The preparation of such solutions is within the skill of the art.

4.9 Pharmaceutical Formulations and Routes of Administration

A protein or other composition of the present invention (from whatever source derived, including without limitation from recombinant and non-recombinant sources and including antibodies and other binding partners of the polypeptides of the invention) may be administered to a patient in need, by itself, or in pharmaceutical compositions where it is mixed with suitable carriers or excipient(s) at doses to treat or ameliorate a variety of disorders. Such a composition may optionally contain (in addition to protein or other active ingredient and a carrier) diluents, fillers, salts, buffers, stabilizers, solubilizers, and other materials well known in the art. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” means a non-toxic material that does not interfere with the effectiveness of the biological activity of the active ingredient(s). The characteristics of the carrier will depend on the route of administration. The pharmaceutical composition of the invention may also contain cytokines, lymphokines, or other hematopoietic factors such as M-CSF, GM-CSF, TNF, IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12, IL-13, IL-14, IL-15, IFN, TNF0, TNF1, TNF2, G-CSF, Meg-CSF, thrombopoietin, stem cell factor, and erythropoietin. In further compositions, proteins of the invention may be combined with other agents beneficial to the treatment of the disease or disorder in question. These agents include various growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factors (TGF-a and TGF-b), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), as well as cytokines described herein.

The pharmaceutical composition may further contain other agents which either enhance the activity of the protein or other active ingredient or complement its activity or use in treatment. Such additional factors and/or agents may be included in the pharmaceutical composition to produce a synergistic effect with protein or other active ingredient of the invention, or to minimize side effects. Conversely, protein or other active ingredient of the present invention may be included in formulations of the particular clotting factor, cytokine, lymphokine, other hematopoietic factor, thrombolytic or anti-thrombotic factor, or anti-inflammatory agent to minimize side effects of the clotting factor, cytokine, lymphokine, other hematopoietic factor, thrombolytic or anti-thrombotic factor, or anti-inflammatory agent (such as IL-1Ra, IL-1 Hy1, IL-1 Hy2, anti-TNF, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents). A protein of the present invention may be active in multimers (e.g., heterodimers or homodimers) or complexes with itself or other proteins. As a result, pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may comprise a protein of the invention in such multimeric or complexed form.

As an alternative to being included in a pharmaceutical composition of the invention including a first protein, a second protein or a therapeutic agent may be concurrently administered with the first protein (e.g., at the same time, or at differing times provided that therapeutic concentrations of the combination of agents is achieved at the treatment site). Techniques for formulation and administration of the compounds of the instant application may be found in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,” Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., latest edition. A therapeutically effective dose further refers to that amount of the compound sufficient to result in amelioration of symptoms, e.g., treatment, healing, prevention or amelioration of the relevant medical condition, or an increase in rate of treatment, healing, prevention or amelioration of such conditions. When applied to an individual active ingredient, administered alone, a therapeutically effective dose refers to that ingredient alone. When applied to a combination, a therapeutically effective dose refers to combined amounts of the active ingredients that result in the therapeutic effect, whether administered in combination, serially or simultaneously.

In practicing the method of treatment or use of the present invention, a therapeutically effective amount of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention is administered to a mammal having a condition to be treated. Protein or other active ingredient of the present invention may be administered in accordance with the method of the invention either alone or in combination with other therapies such as treatments employing cytokines, lymphokines or other hematopoietic factors. When co-administered with one or more cytokines, lymphokines or other hematopoietic factors, protein or other active ingredient of the present invention may be administered either simultaneously with the cytokine(s), lymphokine(s), other hematopoietic factor(s), thrombolytic or anti-thrombotic factors, or sequentially. If administered sequentially, the attending physician will decide on the appropriate sequence of administering protein or other active ingredient of the present invention in combination with cytokine(s), lymphokine(s), other hematopoietic factor(s), thrombolytic or anti-thrombotic factors.

4.9.1 Routes of Administration

Suitable routes of administration may, for example, include oral, rectal, transmucosal, or intestinal administration; parenteral delivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous, intramedullary injections, as well as intrathecal, direct intraventricular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intraocular injections. Administration of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention used in the pharmaceutical composition or to practice the method of the present invention can be carried out in a variety of conventional ways, such as oral ingestion, inhalation, topical application or cutaneous, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, parenteral or intravenous injection. Intravenous administration to the patient is preferred.

Alternately, one may administer the compound in a local rather than systemic manner, for example, via injection of the compound directly into a arthritic joints or in fibrotic tissue, often in a depot or sustained release formulation. In order to prevent the scarring process frequently occurring as complication of glaucoma surgery, the compounds may be administered topically, for example, as eye drops. Furthermore, one may administer the drug in a targeted drug delivery system, for example, in a liposome coated with a specific antibody, targeting, for example, arthritic or fibrotic tissue. The liposomes will be targeted to and taken up selectively by the afflicted tissue.

The polypeptides of the invention are administered by any route that delivers an effective dosage to the desired site of action. The determination of a suitable route of administration and an effective dosage for a particular indication is within the level of skill in the art. Preferably for wound treatment, one administers the therapeutic compound directly to the site. Suitable dosage ranges for the polypeptides of the invention can be extrapolated from these dosages or from similar studies in appropriate animal models. Dosages can then be adjusted as necessary by the clinician to provide maximal therapeutic benefit.

4.9.2 Compositions/Formulations

Pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the present invention thus may be formulated in a conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically. These pharmaceutical compositions may be manufactured in a manner that is itself known, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping or lyophilizing processes. Proper formulation is dependent upon the route of administration chosen. When a therapeutically effective amount of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention is administered orally, protein or other active ingredient of the present invention will be in the form of a tablet, capsule, powder, solution or elixir. When administered in tablet form, the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may additionally contain a solid carrier such as a gelatin or an adjuvant. The tablet, capsule, and powder contain from about 5 to 95% protein or other active ingredient of the present invention, and preferably from about 25 to 90% protein or other active ingredient of the present invention. When administered in liquid form, a liquid carrier such as water, petroleum, oils of animal or plant origin such as peanut oil, mineral oil, soybean oil, or sesame oil, or synthetic oils may be added. The liquid form of the pharmaceutical composition may further contain physiological saline solution, dextrose or other saccharide solution, or glycols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol. When administered in liquid form, the pharmaceutical composition contains from about 0.5 to 90% by weight of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention, and preferably from about 1 to 50% protein or other active ingredient of the present invention.

When a therapeutically effective amount of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention is administered by intravenous, cutaneous or subcutaneous injection, protein or other active ingredient of the present invention will be in the form of a pyrogen-free, parenterally acceptable aqueous solution. The preparation of such parenterally acceptable protein or other active ingredient solutions, having due regard to pH, isotonicity, stability, and the like, is within the skill in the art. A preferred pharmaceutical composition for intravenous, cutaneous, or subcutaneous injection should contain, in addition to protein or other active ingredient of the present invention, an isotonic vehicle such as Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Dextrose Injection, Dextrose and Sodium Chloride Injection, Lactated Ringer's Injection, or other vehicle as known in the art. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may also contain stabilizers, preservatives, buffers, antioxidants, or other additives known to those of skill in the art. For injection, the agents of the invention may be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hanks's solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saline buffer. For transmucosal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art.

For oral administration, the compounds can be formulated readily by combining the active compounds with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art. Such carriers enable the compounds of the invention to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions and the like, for oral ingestion by a patient to be treated. Pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained solid excipient, optionally grinding a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillers such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; cellulose preparations such as, for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). If desired, disintegrating agents may be added, such as the cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof such as sodium alginate. Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings. For this purpose, concentrated sugar solutions may be used, which may optionally contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for identification or to characterize different combinations of active compound doses.

Pharmaceutical preparations which can be used orally include push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fit capsules can contain the active ingredients in admixture with filler such as lactose, binders such as starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active compounds may be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid paraffin, or liquid polyethylene glycols. In addition, stabilizers may be added. All formulations for oral administration should be in dosages suitable for such administration. For buccal administration, the compositions may take the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in conventional manner.

For administration by inhalation, the compounds for use according to the present invention are conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a nebuliser, with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. In the case of a pressurized aerosol the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of, e.g., gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated containing a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch. The compounds may be formulated for parenteral administration by injection, e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion. Formulations for injection may be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampules or in multi-dose containers, with an added preservative. The compositions may take such forms as suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents.

Pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the active compounds in water-soluble form. Additionally, suspensions of the active compounds may be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes. Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Optionally, the suspension may also contain suitable stabilizers or agents which increase the solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions. Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile pyrogen-free water, before use.

The compounds may also be formulated in rectal compositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, e.g., containing conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or other glycerides. In addition to the formulations described previously, the compounds may also be formulated as a depot preparation. Such long acting formulations may be administered by implantation (for example subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or by intramuscular injection. Thus, for example, the compounds may be formulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for example as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt.

A pharmaceutical carrier for the hydrophobic compounds of the invention is a co-solvent system comprising benzyl alcohol, a nonpolar surfactant, a water-miscible organic polymer, and an aqueous phase. The co-solvent system may be the VPD co-solvent system. VPD is a solution of 3% w/v benzyl alcohol, 8% w/v of the nonpolar surfactant polysorbate 80, and 65% w/v polyethylene glycol 300, made up to volume in absolute ethanol. The VPD co-solvent system (VPD:5W) consists of VPD diluted 1:1 with a 5% dextrose in water solution. This co-solvent system dissolves hydrophobic compounds well, and itself produces low toxicity upon systemic administration. Naturally, the proportions of a co-solvent system may be varied considerably without destroying its solubility and toxicity characteristics. Furthermore, the identity of the co-solvent components may be varied: for example, other low-toxicity nonpolar surfactants may be used instead of polysorbate 80; the fraction size of polyethylene glycol may be varied; other biocompatible polymers may replace polyethylene glycol, e.g. polyvinyl pyrrolidone; and other sugars or polysaccharides may substitute for dextrose. Alternatively, other delivery systems for hydrophobic pharmaceutical compounds may be employed. Liposomes and emulsions are well known examples of delivery vehicles or carriers for hydrophobic drugs. Certain organic solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide also may be employed, although usually at the cost of greater toxicity. Additionally, the compounds may be delivered using a sustained-release system, such as semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the therapeutic agent. Various types of sustained-release materials have been established and are well known by those skilled in the art. Sustained-release capsules may, depending on their chemical nature, release the compounds for a few weeks up to over 100 days. Depending on the chemical nature and the biological stability of the therapeutic reagent, additional strategies for protein or other active ingredient stabilization may be employed.

The pharmaceutical compositions also may comprise suitable solid or gel phase carriers or excipients. Examples of such carriers or excipients include but are not limited to calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars, starches, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, and polymers such as polyethylene glycols. Many of the active ingredients of the invention may be provided as salts with pharmaceutically compatible counter ions. Such pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts are those salts which retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the free acids and which are obtained by reaction with inorganic or organic bases such as sodium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, ammonia, trialkylamine, dialkylamine, monoalkylamine, dibasic amino acids, sodium acetate, potassium benzoate, triethanol amine and the like.

The pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be in the form of a complex of the protein(s) or other active ingredient of present invention along with protein or peptide antigens. The protein and/or peptide antigen will deliver a stimulatory signal to both B and T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes will respond to antigen through their surface immunoglobulin receptor. T lymphocytes will respond to antigen through the T cell receptor (TCR) following presentation of the antigen by MHC proteins. MHC and structurally related proteins including those encoded by class I and class II MHC genes on host cells will serve to present the peptide antigen(s) to T lymphocytes. The antigen components could also be supplied as purified MHC-peptide complexes alone or with co-stimulatory molecules that can directly signal T cells. Alternatively antibodies able to bind surface immunoglobulin and other molecules on B cells as well as antibodies able to bind the TCR and other molecules on T cells can be combined with the pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

The pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be in the form of a liposome in which protein of the present invention is combined, in addition to other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, with amphipathic agents such as lipids which exist in aggregated form as micelles, insoluble monolayers, liquid crystals, or lamellar layers in aqueous solution. Suitable lipids for liposomal formulation include, without limitation, monoglycerides, diglycerides, sulfatides, lysolecithins, phospholipids, saponin, bile acids, and the like. Preparation of such liposomal formulations is within the level of skill in the art, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,235,871; 4,501,728; 4,837,028; and 4,737,323, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The amount of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention will depend upon the nature and severity of the condition being treated, and on the nature of prior treatments which the patient has undergone. Ultimately, the attending physician will decide the amount of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention with which to treat each individual patient. Initially, the attending physician will administer low doses of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention and observe the patient's response. Larger doses of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention may be administered until the optimal therapeutic effect is obtained for the patient, and at that point the dosage is not increased further. It is contemplated that the various pharmaceutical compositions used to practice the method of the present invention should contain about 0.01 μg to about 100 mg (preferably about 0.1 μg to about 10 mg, more preferably about 0.1 μg to about 1 mg) of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention per kg body weight. For compositions of the present invention which are useful for bone, cartilage, tendon or ligament regeneration, the therapeutic method includes administering the composition topically, systematically, or locally as an implant or device. When administered, the therapeutic composition for use in this invention is, of course, in a pyrogen-free, physiologically acceptable form. Further, the composition may desirably be encapsulated or injected in a viscous form for delivery to the site of bone, cartilage or tissue damage. Topical administration may be suitable for wound healing and tissue repair. Therapeutically useful agents other than a protein or other active ingredient of the invention which may also optionally be included in the composition as described above, may alternatively or additionally, be administered simultaneously or sequentially with the composition in the methods of the invention. Preferably for bone and/or cartilage formation, the composition would include a matrix capable of delivering the protein-containing or other active ingredient-containing composition to the site of bone and/or cartilage damage, providing a structure for the developing bone and cartilage and optimally capable of being resorbed into the body. Such matrices may be formed of materials presently in use for other implanted medical applications.

The choice of matrix material is based on biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical properties, cosmetic appearance and interface properties. The particular application of the compositions will define the appropriate formulation. Potential matrices for the compositions may be biodegradable and chemically defined calcium sulfate, tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid and polyanhydrides. Other potential materials are biodegradable and biologically well-defined, such as bone or dermal collagen. Further matrices are comprised of pure proteins or extracellular matrix components. Other potential matrices are nonbiodegradable and chemically defined, such as sintered hydroxyapatite, bioglass, aluminates, or other ceramics. Matrices may be comprised of combinations of any of the above mentioned types of material, such as polylactic acid and hydroxyapatite or collagen and tricalcium phosphate. The bioceramics may be altered in composition, such as in calcium-aluminate-phosphate and processing to alter pore size, particle size, particle shape, and biodegradability. Presently preferred is a 50:50 (mole weight) copolymer of lactic acid and glycolic acid in the form of porous particles having diameters ranging from 150 to 800 microns. In some applications, it will be useful to utilize a sequestering agent, such as carboxymethyl cellulose or autologous blood clot, to prevent the protein compositions from disassociating from the matrix.

A preferred family of sequestering agents is cellulosic materials such as alkylcelluloses (including hydroxyalkylcelluloses), including methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, and carboxymethylcellulose, the most preferred being cationic salts of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Other preferred sequestering agents include hyaluronic acid, sodium alginate, poly(ethylene glycol), polyoxyethylene oxide, carboxyvinyl polymer and poly(vinyl alcohol). The amount of sequestering agent useful herein is 0.5-20 wt %, preferably 1-10 wt % based on total formulation weight, which represents the amount necessary to prevent desorption of the protein from the polymer matrix and to provide appropriate handling of the composition, yet not so much that the progenitor cells are prevented from infiltrating the matrix, thereby providing the protein the opportunity to assist the osteogenic activity of the progenitor cells. In further compositions, proteins or other active ingredient of the invention may be combined with other agents beneficial to the treatment of the bone and/or cartilage defect, wound, or tissue in question. These agents include various growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factors (TGF-a and TGF-b), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF).

The therapeutic compositions are also presently valuable for veterinary applications. Particularly domestic animals and thoroughbred horses, in addition to humans, are desired patients for such treatment with proteins or other active ingredient of the present invention. The dosage regimen of a protein-containing pharmaceutical composition to be used in tissue regeneration will be determined by the attending physician considering various factors which modify the action of the proteins, e.g., amount of tissue weight desired to be formed, the site of damage, the condition of the damaged tissue, the size of a wound, type of damaged tissue (e.g., bone), the patient's age, sex, and diet, the severity of any infection, time of administration and other clinical factors. The dosage may vary with the type of matrix used in the reconstitution and with inclusion of other proteins in the pharmaceutical composition. For example, the addition of other known growth factors, such as IGF I (insulin like growth factor 1), to the final composition, may also effect the dosage. Progress can be monitored by periodic assessment of tissue/bone growth and/or repair, for example, X-rays, histomorphometric determinations and tetracycline labeling.

Polynucleotides of the present invention can also be used for gene therapy. Such polynucleotides can be introduced either in vivo or ex vivo into cells for expression in a mammalian subject. Polynucleotides of the invention may also be administered by other known methods for introduction of nucleic acid into a cell or organism (including, without limitation, in the form of viral vectors or naked DNA). Cells may also be cultured ex vivo in the presence of proteins of the present invention in order to proliferate or to produce a desired effect on or activity in such cells. Treated cells can then be introduced in vivo for therapeutic purposes.

4.9.3 Effective Dosage

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the present invention include compositions wherein the active ingredients are contained in an effective amount to achieve its intended purpose. More specifically, a therapeutically effective amount means an amount effective to prevent development of or to alleviate the existing symptoms of the subject being treated. Determination of the effective amount is well within the capability of those skilled in the art, especially in light of the detailed disclosure provided herein. For any compound used in the method of the invention, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from appropriate in vitro assays. For example, a dose can be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating concentration range that can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans. For example, a dose can be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating concentration range that includes the IC₅₀ as determined in cell culture (i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of the protein's biological activity). Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans.

A therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of the compound that results in amelioration of symptoms or a prolongation of survival in a patient. Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD₅₀ (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED₅₀ (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio between LD₅₀ and ED₅₀. Compounds which exhibit high therapeutic indices are preferred. The data obtained from these cell culture assays and animal studies can be used in formulating a range of dosage for use in human. The dosage of such compounds lies preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED₅₀ with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. The exact formulation, route of administration and dosage can be chosen by the individual physician in view of the patient's condition. See, e.g., Fingl et al., 1975, in “The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics”, Ch. 1 p. 1. Dosage amount and interval may be adjusted individually to provide plasma levels of the active moiety which are sufficient to maintain the desired effects, or minimal effective concentration (MEC). The MEC will vary for each compound but can be estimated from in vitro data. Dosages necessary to achieve the MEC will depend on individual characteristics and route of administration. However, HPLC assays or bioassays can be used to determine plasma concentrations.

Dosage intervals can also be determined using MEC value. Compounds should be administered using a regimen which maintains plasma levels above the MEC for 10-90% of the time, preferably between 30-90% and most preferably between 50-90%. In cases of local administration or selective uptake, the effective local concentration of the drug may not be related to plasma concentration.

An exemplary dosage regimen for polypeptides or other compositions of the invention will be in the range of about 0.01 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg of body weight daily, with the preferred dose being about 0.1 mg/kg to 25 mg/kg of patient body weight daily, varying in adults and children. Dosing may be once daily, or equivalent doses may be delivered at longer or shorter intervals.

The amount of composition administered will, of course, be dependent on the subject being treated, on the subject's age and weight, the severity of the affliction, the manner of administration and the judgment of the prescribing physician.

4.9.4 Packaging

The compositions may, if desired, be presented in a pack or dispenser device which may contain one or more unit dosage forms containing the active ingredient. The pack may, for example, comprise metal or plastic foil, such as a blister pack. The pack or dispenser device may be accompanied by instructions for administration. Compositions comprising a compound of the invention formulated in a compatible pharmaceutical carrier may also be prepared, placed in an appropriate container, and labeled for treatment of an indicated condition.

4.10 Antibodies

4.10.1 Human Antibodies

Fully human antibodies relate to antibody molecules in which essentially the entire sequences of both the light chain and the heavy chain, including the CDRs, arise from human genes. Such antibodies are termed “human antibodies”, or “fully human antibodies” herein. Human monoclonal antibodies can be prepared by the trioma technique; the human B-cell hybridoma technique [see Kozbor, et al., Immunol Today, 4:72 (1983)] and the EBV hybridoma technique to produce human monoclonal antibodies [see Cole, et al., 1985 In: Monoclonal Atibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96]. Human monoclonal antibodies may be utilized in the practice of the present invention and may be produced by using human hybridomas [see Cote, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 80:2026-2030 (1983)] or by transforming human B-cells with Epstein Barr Virus in vitro [see Cole, et al., 1985, In: Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96].

In addition, human antibodies can also be produced using additional techniques, including phage display libraries [Hoogenboom and Winter, J. Mol. Biol., 227:381 (1991); Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222:581 (1991)]. Similarly, human antibodies can be made by introducing human immunoglobulin loci into transgenic animals, e.g., mice in which the endogenous immunoglobulin genes have been partially or completely inactivated. Upon challenge, human antibody production is observed, which closely resembles that seen in humans in all respects, including gene rearrangement, assembly, and antibody repertoire. This approach is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,545,807; 5,545,806; 5,569,825; 5,625,126; 5,633,425; 5,661,016, and in Marks et al. [Bio/Technology,10:779-783 (1992)]; Lonberg et al. [Nature, 368:856-859 (1994)]; Morrison [Nature, 368:812-13 (1994)]; Fishwild et al. [Nature Biotechnology, 14:845-51 (1996)]; Neuberger [Nature Biotechnology, 14:826 (1996)]; and Lonberg and Huszar [Intern. Rev. Immunol., 13:65-93 (1995)].

Human antibodies may additionally be produced using transgenic nonhuman animals which are modified so as to produce fully human antibodies rather than the animal's endogenous antibodies in response to challenge by an antigen. (See PCT publication WO94/02602). The endogenous genes encoding the heavy and light immunoglobulin chains in the nonhuman host have been incapacitated, and active loci encoding human heavy and light chain immunoglobulins are inserted into the host's genome. The human genes are incorporated, for example, using yeast artificial chromosomes containing the requisite human DNA segments. An animal which provides all the desired modifications is then obtained as progeny by crossbreeding intermediate transgenic animals containing fewer than the full complement of the modifications. The preferred embodiment of such a nonhuman animal is a mouse, and is termed the Xenomouse™ as disclosed in PCT publications WO 96/33735 and WO 96/34096. This animal produces B cells which secrete fully human immunoglobulins. The antibodies can be obtained directly from the animal after immunization with an immunogen of interest, as, for example, a preparation of a polyclonal antibody, or alternatively from immortalized B cells derived from the animal, such as hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies. Additionally, the genes encoding the immunoglobulins with human variable regions can be recovered and expressed to obtain the antibodies directly, or can be further modified to obtain analogs of antibodies such as, for example, single chain Fv molecules. An example of a method of producing a nonhuman host, exemplified as a mouse, lacking expression of an endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,598. It can be obtained by a method including deleting the J segment genes from at least one endogenous heavy chain locus in an embryonic stem cell to prevent rearrangement of the locus and to prevent formation of a transcript of a rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain locus, the deletion being effected by a targeting vector containing a gene encoding a selectable marker; and producing from the embryonic stem cell a transgenic mouse whose somatic and germ cells contain the gene encoding the selectable marker.

A method for producing an antibody of interest, such as a human antibody, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,771. It includes introducing an expression vector that contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain into one mammalian host cell in culture, introducing an expression vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a light chain into another mammalian host cell, and fusing the two cells to form a hybrid cell. The hybrid cell expresses an antibody containing the heavy chain and the light chain.

In a further improvement on this procedure, a method for identifying a clinically relevant epitope on an immunogen, and a correlative method for selecting an antibody that binds immunospecifically to the relevant epitope with high affinity, are disclosed in PCT publication WO 99/53049.

4.10.2 Fab Fragments and Single Chain Antibodies

According to the invention, techniques can be adapted for the production of single-chain antibodies specific to an antigenic protein of the invention (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778). In addition, methods can be adapted for the construction of Fab expression libraries [see e.g., Huse, et al., Science, 246:1275-1281 (1989)] to allow rapid and effective identification of monoclonal F_(ab) fragments with the desired specificity for a protein or derivatives, fragments, analogs or homologs thereof. Antibody fragments that contain the idiotypes to a protein antigen may be produced by techniques known in the art including, but not limited to: (i) an F_((ab′)2) fragment produced by pepsin digestion of an antibody molecule; (ii) an F_(ab) fragment generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of an F_((ab′)2) fragment; (iii) an F_(ab) fragment generated by the treatment of the antibody molecule with papain and a reducing agent and (iv) F_(v) fragments.

4.10.3 Bispecific Antibodies

Bispecific antibodies are monoclonal, preferably human or humanized, antibodies that have binding specificities for at least two different antigens. In the present case, one of the binding specificities is for an antigenic protein of the invention. The second binding target is any other antigen, and advantageously is a cell-surface protein or receptor or receptor subunit.

Methods for making bispecific antibodies are known in the art. Traditionally, the recombinant production of bispecific antibodies is based on the co-expression of two immunoglobulin heavy-chain/light-chain pairs, where the two heavy chains have different specificities [Milstein and Cuello, Nature, 305:537-539 (1983)]. Because of the random assortment of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains, these hybridomas (quadromas) produce a potential mixture of ten different antibody molecules, of which only one has the correct bispecific structure. The purification of the correct molecule is usually accomplished by affinity chromatography steps. Similar procedures are disclosed in WO 93/08829, published 13 May 1993, and in Traunecker et al., EMBO J., 10:3655-3659 (1991).

Antibody variable domains with the desired binding specificities (antibody-antigen combining sites) can be fused to immunoglobulin constant domain sequences. The fusion preferably is with an immunoglobulin heavy-chain constant domain, comprising at least part of the hinge, CH2, and CH3 regions. It is preferred to have the first heavy-chain constant region (CH1) containing the site necessary for light-chain binding present in at least one of the fusions. DNAs encoding the immunoglobulin heavy-chain fusions and, if desired, the immunoglobulin light chain, are inserted into separate expression vectors, and are co-transfected into a suitable host organism. For further details of generating bispecific antibodies see, for example, Suresh et al., Methods in Enzymology, 121:210 (1986).

According to another approach described in WO 96/27011, the interface between a pair of antibody molecules can be engineered to maximize the percentage of heterodimers which are recovered from recombinant cell culture. The preferred interface comprises at least a part of the CH3 region of an antibody constant domain. In this method, one or more small amino acid side chains from the interface of the first antibody molecule are replaced with larger side chains (e.g. tyrosine or tryptophan). Compensatory “cavities” of identical or similar size to the large side chain(s) are created on the interface of the second antibody molecule by replacing large amino acid side chains with smaller ones (e.g. alanine or threonine). This provides a mechanism for increasing the yield of the heterodimer over other unwanted end-products such as homodimers.

Bispecific antibodies can be prepared as full-length antibodies or antibody fragments (e.g. F(ab′)₂ bispecific antibodies). Techniques for generating bispecific antibodies from antibody fragments have been described in the literature. For example, bispecific antibodies can be prepared using chemical linkage. Brennan et al., Science, 229:81 (1985) describe a procedure wherein intact antibodies are proteolytically cleaved to generate F(ab′)₂ fragments. These fragments are reduced in the presence of the dithiol complexing agent sodium arsenite to stabilize vicinal dithiols and prevent intermolecular disulfide formation. The Fab′ fragments generated are then converted to thionitrobenzoate (TNB) derivatives. One of the Fab′-TNB derivatives is then reconverted to the Fab′-thiol by reduction with mercaptoethylamine and is mixed with an equimolar amount of the other Fab′-TNB derivative to form the bispecific antibody. The bispecific antibodies produced can be used as agents for the selective immobilization of enzymes.

Additionally, Fab′ fragments can be directly recovered from E. coli and chemically coupled to form bispecific antibodies. Shalaby et al., J. Exp. Med., 175:217-225 (1992) describe the production of a fully humanized bispecific antibody F(ab′)₂ molecule. Each Fab′ fragment was separately secreted from E. coli and subjected to directed chemical coupling in vitro to form the bispecific antibody. The bispecific antibody thus formed was able to bind to cells overexpressing the ErbB2 receptor and normal human T cells, as well as trigger the lytic activity of human cytotoxic lymphocytes against human breast tumor targets.

Various techniques for making and isolating bispecific antibody fragments directly from recombinant cell culture have also been described. For example, bispecific antibodies have been produced using leucine zippers. Kostelny et al., J. Immunol., 148(5):1547-1553 (1992). The leucine zipper peptides from the Fos and Jun proteins were linked to the Fab′ portions of two different antibodies by gene fusion. The antibody homodimers were reduced at the hinge region to form monomers and then re-oxidized to form the antibody heterodimers. This method can also be utilized for the production of antibody homodimers. The “diabody” technology described by Hollinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:6444-6448 (1993) has provided an alternative mechanism for making bispecific antibody fragments. The fragments comprise a heavy-chain variable domain (V_(H)) connected to a light-chain variable domain (V_(L)) by a linker which is too short to allow pairing between the two domains on the same chain. Accordingly, the V_(H) and V_(L) domains of one fragment are forced to pair with the complementary V_(L) and V_(H) domains of another fragment, thereby forming two antigen-binding sites. Another strategy for making bispecific antibody fragments by the use of single-chain Fv (sFv) dimers has also been reported. See, Gruber et al., J. Immunol., 152:5368 (1994).

Antibodies with more than two valencies are contemplated. For example, trispecific antibodies can be prepared [Tutt et al., J. Immunol., 147:60 (1991)].

Exemplary bispecific antibodies can bind to two different epitopes, at least one of which originates in the protein antigen of the invention. Alternatively, an anti-antigenic arm of an immunoglobulin molecule can be combined with an arm which binds to a triggering molecule on a leukocyte such as a T-cell receptor molecule (e.g. CD2, CD3, CD28, or B7), or Fc receptors for IgG (FcγR), such as FcγRI (CD64), FcγRII (CD32) and FcγRIII (CD16) so as to focus cellular defense mechanisms to the cell expressing the particular antigen. Bispecific antibodies can also be used to direct cytotoxic agents to cells which express a particular antigen. These antibodies possess an antigen-binding arm and an arm which binds a cytotoxic agent or a radionuclide chelator, such as EOTUBE, DPTA, DOTA, or TETA. Another bispecific antibody of interest binds the protein antigen described herein and further binds tissue factor (TF).

4.10.4 Heteroconjugate Antibodies

Heteroconjugate antibodies are also within the scope of the present invention. Heteroconjugate antibodies are composed of two covalently joined antibodies. Such antibodies have, for example, been proposed to target immune system cells to unwanted cells (U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980), and for treatment of HIV infection (WO 91/00360; WO 92/200373; EP 03089). It is contemplated that the antibodies can be prepared in vitro using known methods in synthetic protein chemistry, including those involving crosslinking agents. For example, immunotoxins can be constructed using a disulfide exchange reaction or by forming a thioether bond. Examples of suitable reagents for this purpose include iminothiolate and methyl-4-mercaptobutyrimidate and those disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980.

4.10.5 Effector Function Engineering

It can be desirable to modify the antibody of the invention with respect to effector function, so as to enhance, e.g., the effectiveness of the antibody in treating cancer. For example, cysteine residue(s) can be introduced into the Fc region, thereby allowing interchain disulfide bond formation in this region. The homodimeric antibody thus generated can have improved internalization capability and/or increased complement-mediated cell killing and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). See Caron et al., J. Exp Med., 176: 1191-1195 (1992) and Shopes, J. Immunol., 148: 2918-2922 (1992). Homodimeric antibodies with enhanced anti-tumor activity can also be prepared using heterobifunctional cross-linkers as described in Wolff et al. Cancer Research, 53:2560-2565 (1993). Alternatively, an antibody can be engineered that has dual Fc regions and can thereby have enhanced complement lysis and ADCC capabilities [See Stevenson et al., Anti-Cancer Drug Design, 3: 219-230 (1989)].

4.10.6 Immunoconjugates

The invention also pertains to immunoconjugates comprising an antibody conjugated to a cytotoxic agent such as a chemotherapeutic agent, toxin (e.g., an enzymatically active toxin of bacterial, fungal, plant, or animal origin, or fragments thereof), or a radioactive isotope (i.e., a radioconjugate).

Chemotherapeutic agents useful in the generation of such immunoconjugates have been described above. Enzymatically active toxins and fragments thereof that can be used include diphtheria A chain, nonbinding active fragments of diphtheria toxin, exotoxin A chain (from Pseudomonas aeruginosa), ricin A chain, abrin A chain, modeccin A chain, alpha-sarcin, Aleurites fordii proteins, dianthin proteins, Phytolaca americana proteins (PAPI, PAPII, and PAP-S), momordica charantia inhibitor, curcin, crotin, sapaonaria officinalis inhibitor, gelonin, mitogellin, restrictocin, phenomycin, enomycin, and the tricothecenes. A variety of radionuclides are available for the production of radioconjugated antibodies. Examples include ²¹²Bi, ¹³¹I, ¹³¹In, ⁹⁰Y, and ¹⁸⁶Re.

Conjugates of the antibody and cytotoxic agent are made using a variety of bifunctional protein-coupling agents such as N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithiol) propionate (SPDP), iminothiolane (IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters (such as dimethyl adipimidate HCL), active esters (such as disuccinimidyl suberate), aldehydes (such as glutareldehyde), bis-azido compounds (such as bis (p-azidobenzoyl) hexanediamine), bis-diazonium derivatives (such as bis-(p-diazoniumbenzoyl)-ethylenediamine), diisocyanates (such as tolyene 2,6-diisocyanate), and bis-active fluorine compounds (such as 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene). For example, a ricin immunotoxin can be prepared as described in Vitetta et al., Science, 238: 1098 (1987). Carbon-14-labeled 1-isothiocyanatobenzyl-3-methyldiethylene triaminepentaacetic acid (MX-DTPA) is an exemplary chelating agent for conjugation of radionucleotide to the antibody. See WO94/11026.

In another embodiment, the antibody can be conjugated to a “receptor” (such streptavidin) for utilization in tumor pretargeting wherein the antibody-receptor conjugate is administered to the patient, followed by removal of unbound conjugate from the circulation using a clearing agent and then administration of a “ligand” (e.g., avidin) that is in turn conjugated to a cytotoxic agent.

4.11 Computer Readable Sequences

In one application of this embodiment, a nucleotide sequence of the present invention can be recorded on computer readable media. As used herein, “computer readable media” refers to any medium which can be read and accessed directly by a computer. Such media include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage media, such as floppy discs, hard disc storage medium, and magnetic tape; optical storage media such as CD-ROM; electrical storage media such as RAM and ROM; and hybrids of these categories such as magnetic/optical storage media. A skilled artisan can readily appreciate how any of the presently known computer readable mediums can be used to create a manufacture comprising computer readable medium having recorded thereon a nucleotide sequence of the present invention. As used herein, “recorded” refers to a process for storing information on computer readable medium. A skilled artisan can readily adopt any of the presently known methods for recording information on computer readable medium to generate manufactures comprising the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention.

A variety of data storage structures are available to a skilled artisan for creating a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a nucleotide sequence of the present invention. The choice of the data storage structure will generally be based on the means chosen to access the stored information. In addition, a variety of data processor programs and formats can be used to store the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention on computer readable medium. The sequence information can be represented in a word processing text file, formatted in commercially-available software such as WordPerfect and Microsoft Word, or represented in the form of an ASCII file, stored in a database application, such as DB2, Sybase, Oracle, or the like. A skilled artisan can readily adapt any number of data processor structuring formats (e.g. text file or database) in order to obtain computer readable medium having recorded thereon the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention.

By providing any of the nucleotide sequences SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 or a representative fragment thereof; or a nucleotide sequence at least 95% identical to any of the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 in computer readable form, a skilled artisan can routinely access the sequence information for a variety of purposes. Computer software is publicly available which allows a skilled artisan to access sequence information provided in a computer readable medium. The examples which follow demonstrate how software which implements the BLAST [Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 215:403-410 (1990)] and BLAZE [Brutlag et al., Comp. Chem., 17:203-207 (1993)] search algorithms on a Sybase system is used to identify open reading frames (ORFs) within a nucleic acid sequence. Such ORFs may be protein encoding fragments and may be useful in producing commercially important proteins such as enzymes used in fermentation reactions and in the production of commercially useful metabolites.

As used herein, “a computer-based system” refers to the hardware means, software means, and data storage means used to analyze the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention. The minimum hardware means of the computer-based systems of the present invention comprises a central processing unit (CPU), input means, output means, and data storage means. A skilled artisan can readily appreciate that any one of the currently available computer-based systems are suitable for use in the present invention. As stated above, the computer-based systems of the present invention comprise a data storage means having stored therein a nucleotide sequence of the present invention and the necessary hardware means and software means for supporting and implementing a search means. As used herein, “data storage means” refers to memory which can store nucleotide sequence information of the present invention, or a memory access means which can access manufactures having recorded thereon the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention.

As used herein, “search means” refers to one or more programs which are implemented on the computer-based system to compare a target sequence or target structural motif with the sequence information stored within the data storage means. Search means are used to identify fragments or regions of a known sequence which match a particular target sequence or target motif. A variety of known algorithms are disclosed publicly and a variety of commercially available software for conducting search means are and can be used in the computer-based systems of the present invention. Examples of such software includes, but is not limited to, Smith-Waterman, MacPattern (EMBL), BLASTN and BLASTA (NPOLYPEPTIDEIA). A skilled artisan can readily recognize that any one of the available algorithms or implementing software packages for conducting homology searches can be adapted for use in the present computer-based systems. As used herein, a “target sequence” can be any nucleic acid or amino acid sequence of six or more nucleotides or two or more amino acids. A skilled artisan can readily recognize that the longer a target sequence is, the less likely a target sequence will be present as a random occurrence in the database. The most preferred sequence length of a target sequence is from about 10 to 100 amino acids, or from about 30 to 300 nucleotide residues. However, it is well recognized that searches for commercially important fragments, such as sequence fragments involved in gene expression and protein processing, may be of shorter length.

As used herein, “a target structural motif,” or “target motif,” refers to any rationally selected sequence or combination of sequences in which the sequence(s) are chosen based on a three-dimensional configuration which is formed upon the folding of the target motif. There are a variety of target motifs known in the art. Protein target motifs include, but are not limited to, enzyme active sites and signal sequences. Nucleic acid target motifs include, but are not limited to, promoter sequences, hairpin structures and inducible expression elements (protein binding sequences).

4.12 Triple Helix Formation

In addition, the fragments of the present invention, as broadly described, can be used to control gene expression through triple helix formation or antisense DNA or RNA, both of which methods are based on the binding of a polynucleotide sequence to DNA or RNA. Polynucleotides suitable for use in these methods are usually 20 to 40 bases in length and are designed to be complementary to a region of the gene involved in transcription [triple helix—see Lee et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 6:3073 (1979); Cooney et al., Science, 15241:456 (1988); and Dervan et al., Science, 251:1360 (1991)] or to the mRNA itself [antisense—Olmno, J. Neurochem., 56:560 (1991); Oligodeoxynucleotides as Antisense inhibitors of Gene Expression, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. (1988)]. Triple helix-formation optimally results in a shut-off of RNA transcription from DNA, while antisense RNA hybridization blocks translation of an mRNA molecule into polypeptide. Both techniques have been demonstrated to be effective in model systems. Information contained in the sequences of the present invention is necessary for the design of an antisense or triple helix oligonucleotide.

4.13 Diagnostic Assays and Kits

The present invention further provides methods to identify the presence or expression of one of the ORFs of the present invention, or homolog thereof, in a test sample, using a nucleic acid probe or antibodies of the present invention, optionally conjugated or otherwise associated with a suitable label.

In general, methods for detecting a polynucleotide of the invention can comprise contacting a sample with a compound that binds to and forms a complex with the polynucleotide for a period sufficient to form the complex, and detecting the complex, so that if a complex is detected, a polynucleotide of the invention is detected in the sample. Such methods can also comprise contacting a sample under stringent hybridization conditions with nucleic acid primers that anneal to a polynucleotide of the invention under such conditions, and amplifying annealed polynucleotides, so that if a polynucleotide is amplified, a polynucleotide of the invention is detected in the sample.

In general, methods for detecting a polypeptide of the invention can comprise contacting a sample with a compound that binds to and forms a complex with the polypeptide for a period sufficient to form the complex, and detecting the complex, so that if a complex is detected, a polypeptide of the invention is detected in the sample.

In detail, such methods comprise incubating a test sample with one or more of the antibodies or one or more of the nucleic acid probes of the present invention and assaying for binding of the nucleic acid probes or antibodies to components within the test sample.

Conditions for incubating a nucleic acid probe or antibody with a test sample vary. Incubation conditions depend on the format employed in the assay, the detection methods employed, and the type and nature of the nucleic acid probe or antibody used in the assay. One skilled in the art will recognize that any one of the commonly available hybridization, amplification or immunological assay formats can readily be adapted to employ the nucleic acid probes or antibodies of the present invention. Examples of such assays can be found in Chard, T., An Introduction to Radioimmunoassay and Related Techniques, Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (1986); Bullock, G. R. et al., Techniques in Immunocytochemistry, Academic Press, Orlando, Fla. Vol. 1 (1982), Vol. 2 (1983), Vol. 3 (1985); Tijssen, P., Practice and Theory of immunoassays: Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (1985). The test samples of the present invention include cells, protein or membrane extracts of cells, or biological fluids such as sputum, blood, serum, plasma, or urine. The test sample used in the above-described method will vary based on the assay format, nature of the detection method and the tissues, cells or extracts used as the sample to be assayed. Methods for preparing protein extracts or membrane extracts of cells are well known in the art and can be readily be adapted in order to obtain a sample which is compatible with the system utilized.

In another embodiment of the present invention, kits are provided which contain the necessary reagents to carry out the assays of the present invention. Specifically, the invention provides a compartment kit to receive, in close confinement, one or more containers which comprises: (a) a first container comprising one of the probes or antibodies of the present invention; and (b) one or more other containers comprising one or more of the following: wash reagents, reagents capable of detecting presence of a bound probe or antibody.

In detail, a compartment kit includes any kit in which reagents are contained in separate containers. Such containers include small glass containers, plastic containers or strips of plastic or paper. Such containers allows one to efficiently transfer reagents from one compartment to another compartment such that the samples and reagents are not cross-contaminated, and the agents or solutions of each container can be added in a quantitative fashion from one compartment to another. Such containers will include a container which will accept the test sample, a container which contains the antibodies used in the assay, containers which contain wash reagents (such as phosphate buffered saline, Tris-buffers, etc.), and containers which contain the reagents used to detect the bound antibody or probe. Types of detection reagents include labeled nucleic acid probes, labeled secondary antibodies, or in the alternative, if the primary antibody is labeled, the enzymatic, or antibody binding reagents which are capable of reacting with the labeled antibody. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the disclosed probes and antibodies of the present invention can be readily incorporated into one of the established kit formats which are well known in the art.

4.14 Medical Imaging

The novel polypeptides and binding partners of the invention are useful in medical imaging of sites expressing the molecules of the invention (e.g., where the polypeptide of the invention is involved in the immune response, for imaging sites of inflammation or infection). See, e.g., Kunkel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,778. Such methods involve chemical attachment of a labeling or imaging agent, administration of the labeled polypeptide to a subject in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and imaging the labeled polypeptide in vivo at the target site.

4.15 Screening Assays

Using the isolated proteins and polynucleotides of the invention, the present invention further provides methods of obtaining and identifying agents which bind to a polypeptide encoded by an ORF corresponding to any of the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39 or bind to a specific domain of the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid. In detail, said method comprises the steps of:

(a) contacting an agent with an isolated protein encoded by an ORF of the present invention, or nucleic acid of the invention; and

(b) determining whether the agent binds to said protein or said nucleic acid.

In general, therefore, such methods for identifying compounds that bind to a polynucleotide of the invention can comprise contacting a compound with a polynucleotide of the invention for a time sufficient to form a polynucleotide/compound complex, and detecting the complex, so that if a polynucleotide/compound complex is detected, a compound that binds to a polynucleotide of the invention is identified.

Likewise, in general, therefore, such methods for identifying compounds that bind to a polypeptide of the invention can comprise contacting a compound with a polypeptide of the invention for a time sufficient to form a polypeptide/compound complex, and detecting the complex, so that if a polypeptide/compound complex is detected, a compound that binds to a polynucleotide of the invention is identified.

Methods for identifying compounds that bind to a polypeptide of the invention can also comprise contacting a compound with a polypeptide of the invention in a cell for a time sufficient to form a polypeptide/compound complex, wherein the complex drives expression of a receptor gene sequence in the cell, and detecting the complex by detecting reporter gene sequence expression, so that if a polypeptide/compound complex is detected, a compound that binds a polypeptide of the invention is identified.

Compounds identified via such methods can include compounds which modulate the activity of a polypeptide of the invention (that is, increase or decrease its activity, relative to activity observed in the absence of the compound). Alternatively, compounds identified via such methods can include compounds which modulate the expression of a polynucleotide of the invention (that is, increase or decrease expression relative to expression levels observed in the absence of the compound). Compounds, such as compounds identified via the methods of the invention, can be tested using standard assays well known to those of skill in the art for their ability to modulate activity/expression.

The agents screened in the above assay can be, but are not limited to, peptides, carbohydrates, vitamin derivatives, or other pharmaceutical agents. The agents can be selected and screened at random or rationally selected or designed using protein modeling techniques.

For random screening, agents such as peptides, carbohydrates, pharmaceutical agents and the like are selected at random and are assayed for their ability to bind to the protein encoded by the ORF of the present invention. Alternatively, agents may be rationally selected or designed. As used herein, an agent is said to be “rationally selected or designed” when the agent is chosen based on the configuration of the particular protein. For example, one skilled in the art can readily adapt currently available procedures to generate peptides, pharmaceutical agents and the like, capable of binding to a specific peptide sequence, in order to generate rationally designed antipeptide peptides, for example see Hurby et al., Application of Synthetic Peptides: Antisense Peptides,” In Synthetic Peptides, A User's Guide, W. H. Freeman, NY (1992), pp. 289-307, and Kaspczak et al., Biochemistry 28:9230-8 (1989), or pharmaceutical agents, or the like.

In addition to the foregoing, one class of agents of the present invention, as broadly described, can be used to control gene expression through binding to one of the ORFs or EMFs of the present invention. As described above, such agents can be randomly screened or rationally designed/selected. Targeting the ORF or EMF allows a skilled artisan to design sequence specific or element specific agents, modulating the expression of either a single ORF or multiple ORFs which rely on the same EMF for expression control. One class of DNA binding agents are agents which contain base residues which hybridize or form a triple helix formation by binding to DNA or RNA. Such agents can be based on the classic phosphodiester, ribonucleic acid backbone, or can be a variety of sulfhydryl or polymeric derivatives which have base attachment capacity.

Agents suitable for use in these methods usually contain 20 to 40 bases and are designed to be complementary to a region of the gene involved in transcription [triple helix—see Lee et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 6:3073 (1979); Cooney et al., Science, 241:456 (1988); and Dervan et al., Science, 251:1360 (1991)] or to the mRNA itself [antisense—Okano, J. Neurochem., 56:560 (1991); Oligodeoxynucleotides as Antisense Inhibitors of Gene Expression, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. (1988)]. Triple helix-formation optimally results in a shut-off of RNA transcription from DNA, while antisense RNA hybridization blocks translation of an mRNA molecule into polypeptide. Both techniques have been demonstrated to be effective in model systems. Information contained in the sequences of the present invention is necessary for the design of an antisense or triple helix oligonucleotide and other DNA binding agents.

Agents which bind to a protein encoded by one of the ORFs of the present invention can be used as a diagnostic agent. Agents which bind to a protein encoded by one of the ORFs of the present invention can be formulated using known techniques to generate a pharmaceutical composition.

4.16 Use of Nucleic Acids as Probes

Another aspect of the subject invention is to provide for polypeptide-specific nucleic acid hybridization probes capable of hybridizing with naturally occurring nucleotide sequences. The hybridization probes of the subject invention may be derived from any of the nucleotide sequences SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39. Because the corresponding gene is only expressed in a limited number of tissues, a hybridization probe derived from of any of the nucleotide sequences SEQ ID NO: 27, 29, 33, 37 or 39, can be used as an indicator of the presence of RNA of cell type of such a tissue in a sample.

Any suitable hybridization technique can be employed, such as, for example, in situ hybridization. PCR as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,965,188 provides additional uses for oligonucleotides based upon the nucleotide sequences. Such probes used in PCR may be of recombinant origin, may be chemically synthesized, or a mixture of both. The probe will comprise a discrete nucleotide sequence for the detection of identical sequences or a degenerate pool of possible sequences for identification of closely related genomic sequences.

Other means for producing specific hybridization probes for nucleic acids include the cloning of nucleic acid sequences into vectors for the production of mRNA probes. Such vectors are known in the art and are commercially available and may be used to synthesize RNA probes in vitro by means of the addition of the appropriate RNA polymerase as T7 or SP6 RNA polymerase and the appropriate radioactively labeled nucleotides. The nucleotide sequences may be used to construct hybridization probes for mapping their respective genomic sequences. The nucleotide sequence provided herein may be mapped to a chromosome or specific regions of a chromosome using well known genetic and/or chromosomal mapping techniques. These techniques include in situ hybridization, linkage analysis against known chromosomal markers, hybridization screening with libraries or flow-sorted chromosomal preparations specific to known chromosomes, and the like. The technique of fluorescent in situ hybridization of chromosome spreads has been described, among other places, in Verma et al (1988) Human Chromosomes: A Manual of Basic Techniques, Pergamon Press, New York N.Y.

Fluorescent in situ hybridization of chromosomal preparations and other physical chromosome mapping techniques may be correlated with additional genetic map data. Examples of genetic map data can be found in the 1994 Genome Issue of Science (265:1981f). Correlation between the location of a nucleic acid on a physical chromosomal map and a specific disease (or predisposition to a specific disease) may help delimit the region of DNA associated with that genetic disease. The nucleotide sequences of the subject invention may be used to detect differences in gene sequences between normal, carrier or affected individuals.

4.17 Preparation of Support Bound Oligonucleotides

Oligonucleotides, i.e., small nucleic acid segments, may be readily prepared by, for example, directly synthesizing the oligonucleotide by chemical means, as is commonly practiced using an automated oligonucleotide synthesizer.

Support bound oligonucleotides may be prepared by any of the methods known to those of skill in the art using any suitable support such as glass, polystyrene or Teflon. One strategy is to precisely spot oligonucleotides synthesized by standard synthesizers. Immobilization can be achieved using passive adsorption [Inouye & Hondo, J. Clin Microbiol, 28(6):1462-72 (1990)]; using UV light [Nagata et al. (1985); Dahlen et al. (1987); Morrissey & Collins, Mol. Cell Probes, 3(2): 189-207 (1989)] or by covalent binding of base modified DNA [Keller et al., 1988; 1989]; all references being specifically incorporated herein.

Another strategy that may be employed is the use of the strong biotin-streptavidin interaction as a linker. For example, Broude et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, 91(8):3072-6 (1984) describe the use of biotinylated probes, although these are duplex probes, that are immobilized on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads. Streptavidin-coated beads may be purchased from Dynal, Oslo. Of course, this same linking chemistry is applicable to coating any surface with streptavidin. Biotinylated probes may be purchased from various sources, such as, e.g., Operon Technologies (Alameda, Calif.).

Nunc Laboratories (Naperville, Ill.) is also selling suitable material that could be used. Nunc Laboratories have developed a method by which DNA can be covalently bound to the microwell surface termed Covalink NH. CovaLink NH is a polystyrene surface grafted with secondary amino groups (>NH) that serve as bridge-heads for further covalent coupling. CovaLink Modules may be purchased from Nunc Laboratories. DNA molecules may be bound to CovaLink exclusively at the 5′-end by a phosphoramidate bond, allowing immobilization of more than 1 pmol of DNA [Rasmussen et al., Anal Biochem.,198(1):138-42 (1991).]

The use of CovaLink NH strips for covalent binding of DNA molecules at the 5′-end has been described [Rasmussen et al., 1991]. In this technology, a phosphoramidate bond is employed [Chu et al., Nucleic Acids, 11 (18):6513-29 (1983)]. This is beneficial as immobilization using only a single covalent bond is preferred. The phosphoramidate bond joins the DNA to the CovaLink NH secondary amino groups that are positioned at the end of spacer arms covalently grafted onto the polystyrene surface through a 2 nm long spacer arm. To link an oligonucleotide to CovaLink NH via an phosphoramidate bond, the oligonucleotide terminus must have a 5′-end phosphate group. It is, perhaps, even possible for biotin to be covalently bound to CovaLink and then streptavidin used to bind the probes.

More specifically, the linkage method includes dissolving DNA in water (7.5 ng/ul) and denaturing for 10 min. at 95° C. and cooling on ice for 10 min. Ice-cold 0.1 M 1-methylimidazole, pH 7.0 (1-MeIm₇), is then added to a final concentration of 10 mM 1-MeIm₇. A ssDNA solution is then dispensed into CovaLink NH strips (75 ul/well) standing on ice.

Carbodiimide 0.2 M 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC), dissolved in 10 mM 1-MeIm₇, is made fresh and 25 ul added per well. The strips are incubated for 5 hours at 50° C. After incubation the strips are washed using, e.g., Nunc-Immuno Wash; first the wells are washed 3 times, then they are soaked with washing solution for 5 min., and finally they are washed 3 times (where in the washing solution is 0.4 N NaOH, 0.25% SDS heated to 50° C.).

It is contemplated that a further suitable method for use with the present invention is that described in PCT Patent Application WO 90/03382 (Southern & Maskos), incorporated herein by reference. This method of preparing an oligonucleotide bound to a support involves attaching a nucleoside 3′-reagent through the phosphate group by a covalent phosphodiester link to aliphatic hydroxyl groups carried by the support. The oligonucleotide is then synthesized on the supported nucleoside and protecting groups removed from the synthetic oligonucleotide chain under standard conditions that do not cleave the oligonucleotide from the support. Suitable reagents include nucleoside phosphoramidite and nucleoside hydrogen phosphorate.

An on-chip strategy for the preparation of DNA probe for the preparation of DNA probe arrays may be employed. For example, addressable laser-activated photodeprotection may be employed in the chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides directly on a glass surface, as described by Fodor et al., Science, 251 (4995):767-73, incorporated herein by reference. Probes may also be immobilized on nylon supports as described by Van Ness et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 19(12): 3345-50 (1991); or linked to Teflon using the method of Duncan & Cavalier, Anal. Biochem.,169(1):104-8 (1988); all references being specifically incorporated herein.

To link an oligonucleotide to a nylon support, as described by Van Ness et al., (1991), requires activation of the nylon surface via alkylation and selective activation of the 5′-amine of oligonucleotides with cyanuric chloride.

One particular way to prepare support bound oligonucleotides is to utilize the light-generated synthesis described by Pease et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA, 91(11):5022-6 (1994). These authors used current photolithographic techniques to generate arrays of immobilized oligonucleotide probes (DNA chips). These methods, in which light is used to direct the synthesis of oligonucleotide probes in high-density, miniaturized arrays, utilize photolabile 5′-protected N-acyl-deoxynucleoside phosphoramidites, surface linker chemistry and versatile combinatorial synthesis strategies. A matrix of 256 spatially defined oligonucleotide probes may be generated in this manner.

4.18 Preparation of Nucleic acid Fragments

The nucleic acids may be obtained from any appropriate source, such as cDNAs, genomic DNA, chromosomal DNA, microdissected chromosome bands, cosmid or YAC inserts, and RNA, including mRNA without any amplification steps. For example, Sambrook et al., (1989) describes three protocols for the isolation of high molecular weight DNA from mammalian cells (p. 9.14-9.23).

DNA fragments may be prepared as clones in M13, plasmid or lambda vectors and/or prepared directly from genomic DNA or cDNA by PCR or other amplification methods. Samples may be prepared or dispensed in multiwell plates. About 100-1000 ng of DNA samples maybe prepared in 2-500 ml of final volume.

The nucleic acids would then be fragmented by any of the methods known to those of skill in the art including, for example, using restriction enzymes as described at 9.24-9.28 of Sambrook et al., (1989), shearing by ultrasound and NaOH treatment.

Low pressure shearing is also appropriate, as described by Schriefer et al., Nucleic Acids Res.,18(24):7455-6 (1990). In this method, DNA samples are passed through a small French pressure cell at a variety of low to intermediate pressures. A lever device allows controlled application of low to intermediate pressures to the cell. The results of these studies indicate that low-pressure shearing is a useful alternative to sonic and enzymatic DNA fragmentation methods.

One particularly suitable way for fragmenting DNA is contemplated to be that using the two base recognition endonuclease, CviJI, described by Fitzgerald et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 20(14): 3753-62 (1992). These authors described an approach for the rapid fragmentation and fractionation of DNA into particular sizes that they contemplated to be suitable for shotgun cloning and sequencing.

The restriction endonuclease CviJI normally cleaves the recognition sequence PuGCPy between the G and C to leave blunt ends. Atypical reaction conditions, which alter the specificity of this enzyme (CviJI**), yield a quasi-random distribution of DNA fragments form the small molecule pUC19 (2688 base pairs). Fitzgerald et al. (1992) quantitatively evaluated the randomness of this fragmentation strategy, using a CviJI** digest of pUC19 that was size fractionated by a rapid gel filtration method and directly ligated, without end repair, to a lac Z minus M13 cloning vector. Sequence analysis of 76 clones showed that CviJI* restricts pyGCPy and PuGCPu, in addition to PuGCPy sites, and that new sequence data is accumulated at a rate consistent with random fragmentation.

As reported in the literature, advantages of this approach compared to sonication and agarose gel fractionation include: smaller amounts of DNA are required (0.2-0.5 ug instead of 2-5 ug); and fewer steps are involved (no preligation, end repair, chemical extraction, or agarose gel electrophoresis and elution are needed).

Irrespective of the manner in which the nucleic acid fragments are obtained or prepared, it is important to denature the DNA to give single stranded pieces available for hybridization. This is achieved by incubating the DNA solution for 2-5 minutes at 80-90° C. The solution is then cooled quickly to 2° C. to prevent renaturation of the DNA fragments before they are contacted with the chip. Phosphate groups must also be removed from genomic DNA by methods known in the art.

4.19 Preparation of DNA Arrays

Arrays may be prepared by spotting DNA samples on a support such as a nylon membrane. Spotting may be performed by using arrays of metal pins (the positions of which correspond to an array of wells in a microtiter plate) to repeated by transfer of about 20 nl of a DNA solution to a nylon membrane. By offset printing, a density of dots higher than the density of the wells is achieved. One to 25 dots may be accommodated in 1 mm², depending on the type of label used. By avoiding spotting in some preselected number of rows and columns, separate subsets (subarrays) may be formed. Samples in one subarray may be the same genomic segment of DNA (or the same gene) from different individuals, or may be different, overlapped genomic clones. Each of the subarrays may represent replica spotting of the same samples. In one example, a selected gene segment may be amplified from 64 patients. For each patient, the amplified gene segment may be in one 96-well plate (all 96 wells containing the same sample). A plate for each of the 64 patients is prepared. By using a 96-pin device, all samples may be spotted on one 8×12 cm membrane. Subarrays may contain 64 samples, one from each patient. Where the 96 subarrays are identical, the dot span may be 1 mm² and there may be a 1 mm space between subarrays.

Another approach is to use membranes or plates (available from NUNC, Naperville, Ill.) which may be partitioned by physical spacers e.g. a plastic grid molded over the membrane, the grid being similar to the sort of membrane applied to the bottom of multiwell plates, or hydrophobic strips. A fixed physical spacer is not preferred for imaging by exposure to flat phosphor-storage screens or x-ray films.

The present invention is illustrated in the following examples. Upon consideration of the present disclosure, one of skill in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments and variations may be made in the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the broader aspects of the present invention not be limited to the disclosure of the following examples. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the exemplified embodiments which are intended as illustrations of single aspects of the invention, and compositions and methods which are functionally equivalent are within the scope of the invention. Indeed, numerous modifications and variations in the practice of the invention are expected to occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the present preferred embodiments. Consequently, the only limitations which should be placed upon the scope of the invention are those which appear in the appended claims.

All references cited within the body of the instant specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

5. EXAMPLES Example 1 Isolation of SEQ ID NO:1-21 from a cDNA Libraries of Human Cells

A plurality of novel nucleic acids were obtained from a cDNA library prepared from human fetal liver spleen, ovary, adult brain, lung tumor, spinal cord, cervix, ovary, endothelial cells, umbilical cord, lymphocyte, lung fibroblast, fetal brain, and testis, using standard PCR, sequencing by hybridization sequence signature analysis, and Sanger sequencing techniques. The inserts of the library were amplified with PCR using primers specific for vector sequences flanking the inserts. These samples were spotted onto nylon membranes and interrogated with oligonucleotide probes to give sequence signatures. The clones were clustered into groups of similar or identical sequences, and single representative clones were selected from each group for gel sequencing. The 5′ sequence of the amplified inserts was then deduced using the reverse M13 sequencing primer in a typical Sanger sequencing protocol. PCR products were purified and subjected to fluorescent dye terminator cycle sequencing. Single-pass gel sequencing was done using a 377 Applied Biosystems (ABI) sequencer. These inserts was identified as a novel sequence not previously obtained from this library and not previously reported in public databases. These sequences are designated as SEQ ID NO: 1-21 in the attached sequence listing.

Example 2 Assemblage of SEQ ID NO: 22 and 24

The novel nucleic acids (SEQ ID NO: 22 and 24) of the invention were assembled from sequences that were obtained from a cDNA library by methods described in Example 1 above. The final sequences were assembled using the EST sequences as seed. Then a recursive algorithm was used to extend the seed into an extended assemblage, by pulling additional sequences from Hyseq's database containing EST sequences that belong to this assemblage. The algorithm terminated when a complete contig was assembled. Inclusion of component sequences into the assemblage was based on a BLASTN hit to the extending assemblage with BLAST score greater than 300 and percent identity greater than 95%.

The nearest neighbor result for the assembled sequence (SEQ ID NO. 22 or 24) was obtained by a FASTA version 3 search against Genpept release 114, using Fastxy algorithm. Fastxy is an improved version of FASTA alignment which allows in-codon frame shifts. The nearest neighbor result showed the closest homologue for each assemblage from Genpept (and contains the translated amino acid sequences for which the assemblage encodes). The nearest neighbor result is set forth below:

Accession Smith-Waterman % No. Description Score Identity Z35597 Unknown weak similarity with 760 36.188 sea squirt nidogen precursor protein (blastp score 71); cDNA EST EMBL:

Polypeptides were predicted to be encoded by SEQ ID NO: 22 (or 24) as set forth below. The polypeptides were predicted using a software program called FASTY, available on the internet at the University of Virginia Web Site, which selects a polypeptide based on a comparison of translated novel polynucleotide to known polypeptides (W. R. Pearson, Methods in Enzymology, 183: 63-98 (1990), herein incorporated by reference).

Amino acid composition of the polypeptide encoded, wherein, (A=Alanine, C=Cysteine, Predicted D=Aspartic Acid, E= Glutamic Acid, beginning F= Phenylalanine, G= Glycine, H= Histidine, nucleotide Predicted end I= Isoleucine, K= Lysine, L= Leucine, location nucleotide M= Methionine, N= Asparagine, P= Proline, correspond-ing location Q= Glutamine, R= Arginine, S= Serine, to first amino correspond-ing to T= Threonine, V= Valine, W= Tryptophan, acid residue of last amino acid Y= Tyrosine, X= Unkinown, *=Stop Codon,/ amino acid residue of amino = possible nucleotide deletion, \= possible segment acid segment nucleotide insertion) 2669 1388 PRVRPRVRTDHNYYISRIYGPSDSASRDLWV (SEQ ID NO:35) NIDQMEKDKVKIHGILSNTHRQAARVNLSFD FPFYGHFLREITVATGGFIYTGEVVHRMLTA TQYIAPLMAMNFDPSVSRNSTVRYFDNGTALV VQWDHVHLQDNYNLGSFTFQATLLMDGRII FGYKEIPVLVTQISSTNHPVKVGLSDAFVVV HRIQQIPNVRRRTTYEYHRVELQMSKITNISA VEMTPLPTCLQFNRCGPCVSSQIGFNCSWCS KLQRCSSGFDRHRQDWVDSGCPEESKEKMC ENTEPVIET\FLEPPQP*ERQPPSSGS*LPPE/DA VTSQFPTSLPTEDDTKIALHLKDNGASTDDS AAEKKGGTLHAGLIVGILILVLIVATAILVTV YMYHHPTSAASIFFIERRPSRWPAMKFRRGS GHPAYAEVEPVGEKEGFIVSEQC

Example 3 Assemblage of SEQ ID NO: 27

The novel nucleic acid (SEQ ID NO: 27) of the invention was initially assembled from sequences that were obtained from a cDNA library by methods described in Example 1 above. The final sequence was assembled using the EST sequences as seed. Then a recursive algorithm was used to extend the seed into an extended assemblage, by pulling additional sequences from Hyseq's database containing EST sequences that belong to this assemblage. The algorithm terminated when a complete contig was assembled. Inclusion of component sequences into the assemblage was based on a BLASTN hit to the extending assemblage with BLAST score greater than 300 and percent identity greater than 95%.

Using this initial sequence, suitable primers were designed for amplification of ESTs that comprise the initial sequence. The products were cloned. The DNA was isolated, cut with appropriate restriction enzymes, ligated, and recloned to generate the full-length contig. The full-length product was then cloned and sequenced using 377 Applied Biosystems (ABI) sequencer. This nucleotide sequence is identical to SEQ ID NO: 27.

Alternatively, the full-length stem cell factor-like DNA was PCR amplified using appropriate primers from Marathon-ready spleen cDNA library (Clontech). The primary PCR product was further amplified using nested PCR primers. The product of the second PCR was sequenced using 377 Applied Biosystems (ABI) sequencer. This product is identical to SEQ ID NO: 27.

Example 4 Assemblage of SEQ ID NO: 23 and 25

Using PHRAP (Univ. of Washington), full-length gene cDNA sequences and the corresponding protein sequences were generated from the assemblage. Any frame shifts and incorrect stop codons were corrected by hand editing. During editing, the sequence was checked using FASTY and/or BLAST against Genbank (i.e. Genepept release 115). Other computer programs, which may have been used in the editing process, were phredPhrap and Consed (University of Washington) and ed-ready, ed-ext and cg-zip-2 (Hyseq, Inc.).

A polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 28) was predicted to be encoded by SEQ ID NO: 27 as set forth below. The polypeptide was predicted using a software program called BLASTX which selects a polypeptide based on a comparison of translated novel polynucleotide to known polynucleotides. The initial methionine starts at position 123 of SEQ ID NO: 3 and the putative stop codon, TAA, begins at position 1710 of the nucleotide sequence.

The stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 28 is an approximately 529-amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of approximately 59.2-kDa, unglycosylated. Protein database searches with the BLASTP algorithm [Altschul S. F. et al., J. Mol. Evol., 36:290-300 (1993) and Altschul S. F. et al., J. Mol. Biol., 21:403-10 (1990), herein incorporated by reference] indicate that SEQ ID NO: 28 is homologous to tumor endothelial marker 7 precursor protein.

FIG. 2 shows the BLASTX amino acid sequence alignment between the protein encoded by stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide SEQ ID NO: 28 and tumor endothelial marker 7 precursor protein SEQ ID NO: 36 [St. Croix et al, Science, 289:1197-1201] indicating that the two sequences share 72% similarity over 441 amino acid residues and 57% identity over the same 441 amino acid residues.

A predicted approximately thirty-residue signal peptide is encoded from approximately residue 1 through residue 30 of SEQ ID NO: 28 (SEQ ID NO: 30). The extracellular portion is useful on its own. This can be confirmed by expression in mammalian cells and sequencing of the cleaved product. The signal peptide region was predicted using Neural Network SignalP V1.1 program [Nielsen et al, Int. J. Neur. Syst., 8:581 (1997)] (from Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, The Technical University of Denmark), and hydrophobicity analysis using the Kyte/Doolittle algorithm [Kyte and Doolittle (1982) J. Mol. Biol., 157:105]. One of skill in the art will recognize that the cleavage site maybe different than that predicted by the computer program. SEQ ID NO: 31 is the peptide resulting when the signal peptide is removed from SEQ ID NO: 28.

A predicted approximately twenty eight-residue transmembrane region is encoded from approximately residue 452 through residue 479 of SEQ ID NO: 28 (SEQ ID NO: 32). It may be confirmed by expression in mammalian cells. The transmembrane region was predicted using Neural Network SignalP V1.1 program [Nielsen et al., Int. J. Neur. Syst., 8:581 (1997)] (from Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, The Technical University of Denmark), and hydrophobicity analysis using the Kyte/Doolittle algorithm [Kyte and Doolittle, J. Mol. Biol., 157:105 (1982)]. One of skill in the art will recognize that the transmembrane region may be different than that predicted by the computer program.

A polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 25) was predicted to be encoded by SEQ ID NO: 24 as set forth below. The polypeptide was predicted using a software program called BLASTX which selects a polypeptide based on a comparison of translated novel polynucleotide to known polynucleotides. The initial methionine starts at position 107 of SEQ ID NO:24 and the putative stop codon, TAA, begins at position 1280 of the nucleotide sequence.

The stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 25 (identical to SEQ ID NO: 23) is an approximately 392-amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of approximately 50-kDa unglycosylated. Protein database searches with the BLASTP algorithm [Altschul S. F. et al., J. Mol. Evol., 36:290-300 (1993) and Altschul S. F. et al., J. Mol. Biol., 21:403-10 (1990), herein incorporated by reference] indicate that SEQ ID NO: 25 is homologous to tumor endothelial marker 7 precursor protein.

A predicted approximately twenty eight-residue transmembrane region is encoded from approximately residue 315 through residue 342 of SEQ ID NO: 25 (SEQ ID NO: 32). It may be confirmed by expression in mammalian cells. The transmembrane region was predicted using Neural Network SignalP V1.1 program [Nielsen et al., Int. J. Neur. Syst., 8:581 (1997)] (from Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, The Technical University of Denmark), and hydrophobicity analysis using the Kyte/Doolittle algorithm [Kyte and Doolittle, J. Mol. Biol., 157:105 (1982)]. One of skill in the art will recognize that the transmembrane region may be different than that predicted by the computer program.

Example 5 A. Cloning and Expression of Soluble Stem Cell Factor-Like Polynucleotide (SEQ ID NO: 33) and Polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 34)

In order to express soluble stem cell factor-like polypeptide, the full-length stem cell factor-like DNA was PCR amplified from Marathon-ready spleen cDNA library (Clontech). The primary PCR product was further amplified using nested PCR primers that would generate soluble stem cell factor-like polypeptide when expressed in suitable cell lines. The product of the secondary PCR (SEQ ID NO: 33) was cloned in pcDNA3.1/Myc-His (+) A between EcoRI and XhoI sites. The plasmid encoding soluble stem cell factor-like polypeptide and control vectors were transfected into CHO cells using FuGENE-6 transfection reagent (Roche). Culture medium, cell lysate and the insoluble cell debris fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE followed by western blotting with anti myc antibodies. As expected, more than 95% of the soluble stem cell factor-like polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 34) was found to be secreted and present in the culture medium.

Using similar approach, stable lines of 293 cells expressing SEQ ID NO: 34 are also generated. These were further cloned to select high, moderate and low expressors.

B. Expression and Purification of SEQ ID NO: 34 from Insect and Bacterial Cells

Stem cell factor-like protein was expressed in insect cells as follows.

The C-terminal transmembrane domain truncated version of stem cell factor-like gene (SEQ ID NO: 33) was cloned by PCR into a pIB/V5-His TOPO TA cloning vector (Invitrogen Corporation). The stem cell factor-like DNA in the vector was generated either with a Myc/His tag or without any tags. Insect cells (High Five TM, Invitrogen) were transfected with the stem cell growth factor-like plasmid DNA containing the tag by using the InsectSelectTM System (Invitrogen). The expression of the stem cell growth factor-like protein was determined by transient expression. The medium containing expressed stem cell growth factor-like protein was separated on SDS-PAGE and stem cell growth factor-like protein was identified by Western blot analysis. For large-scale production of stem cell growth factor-like protein, resistant cells were expanded into flasks containing Ultimate InsectTMSerum-Free medium (Invitrogen). The cells were shaken at ˜100 mph at 27° C. for 4 days. The conditioned media containing the protein for purification were collected by centrifugation.

Stem cell factor-like protein was expressed in bacterial cells as follows:

The mature stem cell growth factor-like gene without the transmembrane domain (SEQ ID NO: 33) was cloned into an expression vector (PCR T7/NT-TOPO) from Invitrogen. The resulting plasmid was expressed in E.coli BL-21 (DE 3) pLys strain. Cells were grown in LB broth containing ampicillin (100 mg/mL) at 37° C. Expression of stem cell growth factor-like protein was then induced with IPTG (1 mM final concentration), and cells were grown for an additional 4 hours and harvested. Analysis of stem cell growth factor-like production by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting was done as detailed above.

Purification of stem cell growth factor-like protein from insect cell cultures was carried out as follows. Insect Ultimate medium containing the His-tagged stem cell growth factor-like was to pH 7.5 by adding appropriate quantity of 1M NaOH. The solution was then supplemented with 1 mM PMSF (final concentration) to prevent the proteolytic cleavage during the purification process. The medium was passed through a 0.2 micron filter (Nalgene Surfactant Free Cellulose Acetate 1000 mL sterile filter unit) to remove particulate material. The resulting solution was concentrated 10-fold and simultaneously equilibrated with 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.5 using a diafiltration cartridge with a membrane cut off size of 10 kDa. The 10-fold concentrated and diafiltered media was loaded onto a Ni-NTA column equilibrated with 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.5. Unretained components were removed by washing the column with 20 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.5 containing 300 mM NaCl and 20 mM Imidazole. The His-tagged stem cell growth factor-like protein was eluted with the same buffer and a linear gradient of imidazole (20-300 mM). The eluted protein was identified as described above. The pooled fractions containing stem cell growth factor-like were equilibrated with PBS buffer using Amicon stircell with a membrane cut off size of 10 kDa. This process also resulted in the removal of imidazole. The protein was then concentrated to approximately 10 mg/mL in PBS buffer for functional studies.

Purification of stem cell growth factor-like protein from bacterial cultures was carried out as follows. E. coli cells expressing stem cell growth factor-like as inclusion bodies were extracted with 10 volumes (wt/vol) of extraction buffer (50 mM NaPO₄, pH 7.0) and further with buffer containing 6M guanidine hydrochloride in the extraction buffer. The solubilized stem cell growth factor-like protein was fractionated on a Ni-NTA column as described above. The unfolded version of stem cell growth factor-like protein obtained from this affinity purification was allowed to attain a native conformation by incubation with a refolding buffer consisting of DTT and glutathione. Refolded sample was equilibrated with 20 mM Tris, 0.1% Tween and concentrated to 100 mL (10× conc.) prior to fast-flow liquid chromatography on ion-exchangers Q-sepharose and SP-sepharose. Additional protocols were also developed for appropriate refolding conditions using 8M urea instead of 6M guanidine hydrochloride.

Example 6 Expression of SEQ ID NO: 33 in Primary Human Cells

The product of the secondary nested PCR from Marathon spleen library amplification encoding a stem cell growth factor-like polypeptide was cloned into (described in Example 3) MSCV retroviral vector (Clontech) at suitable cloning sites using appropriate forward and reverse PCR primers. The retroviral vector was then transfected (using FUGENE-6 transfection reagent) into packaging cell lines to produce large quantities of retrovirus comprising the stem cell growth factor-like DNA. Retrovirus-containing supernatants were prepared from the packaged cell lines and mixed with stromal cells and upon retrovirus transduction, the transduced stromal cells expressed the stem cell growth factor-like protein were analyzed as follows.

A. Liquid Culture Assay:

Hematopoietic stem cells are either commercially purchased or purified using the manufacturer's suggested protocol. Approximately 1×10⁴ stem cells were plated in a 96-well plate together with supernatants from the stromal cells expressing stem cell factor-like protein (SEQ ID NO: 33), or stromal cells expressing control vector. Cultures were microscopically examined and counted every day. As can be seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, supernatants from stromal cells expressing stem cell factor-like polypeptide caused a significant increase in total cell count and colony number of hematopoietic stem cells. The experiment was repeated twice. The average increase in cell number was 2.5 fold (FIG. 4A) while the increase in colony count was 1.54 fold (FIG. 4B). The following table summarizes the results of each independent experiment.

Growth and morphological change in hematopoictic stem Source of protein cells Experiment 1 Supernatant from Stem cell factor- (+) like (SEQ ID NO:33)-transduced stromal cells Control vector-transduced stromal (−) cells Experiment 2 Supernatant from Stem cell factor- (+) like (SEQ ID NO:33)-transduced stromal cells Control vector-transduced stromal (−) cells

B. Stromal Cell-Associated Culture Assay:

Stromal cells from suitable tissues were obtained from commercial vendors. Approximately 1×10⁴ murine hematopoietic stem cells were co-cultured with 1×10⁴ transduced or control stromal cells. For certain experiments, supernatants from transduced stromal cells were added to the co-culture of stem cells and wild type stromal cells. Cultures were microscopically examined and counted every day. As can be seen in the FIGS. 5A and 5B, stromal cells expressing the stem cell factor-like polypeptide caused an increase in total cell count and colony number of hematopoietic stem cells. The experiment was repeated four times. The average increase in cell number was 3.2 fold (FIG. 5A) while the increase in colony count was 3 fold (FIG. 5B). The following table summarizes the results of each independent experiment.

Growth and morphological change in Source of stromal cells hematopoietic stem cells Experiment 1 Stem cell factor-like (SEQ ID (−) NO:33-transduced stromal cells Control vector-transduced (−) stromal cells Experiment 2 Stem cell factor-like (SEQ ID (+) NO:33)-transduced stromal cells Control vector-transduced (−) stromal cells Experiment 3 Stem cell factor-like (SEQ ID (+) NO:33)-transduced stromal cells Control vector-transduced (−) stromal cells Experiment 4 Supernatant from stem cell (+) factor-like (SEQ ID NO:33)- transduced stromal cells + wild type stromal cells Supernatant from control (−) vector-transduced stromal cells + wild type stromal cells

C. Stroma-Associated Culture Assay:

Stromal cells from suitable tissues are obtained from commercial vendors. Approximately 1×1 stem cells are co-cultured with 1×10⁴ transduced stromal cells. Cultures are microscopically observed and counted every day, and flow cytometry staining is performed to determine cell lineage differentiation.

Example 7 Expression Study Using SEQ ID NO: 1-22, 24, 26-27, 29, or 33

The expression of SEQ ID NO: 1-22, 24, 26-27, 29, 33 in various tissues is analyzed using a semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based technique. Human cDNA libraries are used as sources of expressed genes from tissues of interest (including, for example adult bladder, adult brain, adult heart, adult kidney, adult lymph node, adult liver, adult lung, adult ovary, adult placenta, adult rectum, adult spleen, adult testis, bone marrow, thymus, thyroid gland, fetal kidney, fetal liver, fetal liver-spleen, fetal skin, fetal brain, fetal leukocyte and macrophage). Gene-specific primers are used to amplify portions of SEQ ID NO: 1-22, 24, 26-27, 29, or 33 sequences from the samples. Amplified products are separated on an agarose gel, transferred and chemically linked to a nylon filter. The filter is then hybridized with a radioactively labeled (³³P-dCTP) double-stranded probe generated from SEQ ID NO: 1-22, 24, 26-27, 29, or 33 using a Klenow polymerase, random-prime method. The filters are washed (high stringency) and used to expose a phosphorimaging screen for several hours. Bands indicate the presence of cDNA including SEQ ID NO: 1-22, 24, 26-27, 29, or 33 sequences in a specific library, and thus mRNA expression in the corresponding cell type or tissue.

Example 8 Isolation of SEQ ID NO: 37 Mouse Gene (#2728) Fragment

Total RNA was prepared from mouse AGM-S3-A9 cells (1.4×10⁸ cells) in 20 mL of ISOGEN (Nippon Gene Co., Ltd., Japan) according to the package insert leaflet. Messenger RNA was purified from total RNA (1 mg) according to the protocol for a mRNA purification kit (Amersham Pharmacia, Inc., U.S.A.). The cDNA was synthesized from the messenger RNA by SuperScript Plasmid System(GIBO Lifetech, Inc., U.S.A.) primed with oligo dT, and inserted into pSPORT1 (GIBO Lifetech, Inc., U.S.A.). An AGM-S3-A9 cell-specific cDNA was obtained from the library by the SBH method (Hyseq, Inc., U.S.A.). The nucleotide sequence of the clone obtained was determined by ABI377 DNA sequencer (Perkin Elmer, Inc., U.S.A.). The sequence was analyzed by a homology search method, so that the mouse gene (#2728) was identified as a novel one. The nucleotide sequence obtained corresponded to the nucleotides number 1499 to 2857 of SEQ ID No. 37.

Example 9 Cloning of SEQ ID NO: 37 Full Length Mouse Gene (#2728)

Total RNA was prepared from AGM-S3-A9 cells (1.4×10⁸ cells) in 20 mL ISOGEN (Nippon Gene Co., Ltd., Japan) according to the package insert leaflet. Messenger RNA was purified from total RNA (1 mg) according to the protocol for mRNA purification kit (Amersham Pharmacia, Inc., U.S.A). The cDNA library was constructed from 2 μg of messenger RNA prepared by SMART cDNA library construction kit (CLONTECH, Inc., U.S.A.) according to the package insert leaflet. The library contained about 400,000 independent clones and was divided into 15 fractions. PCR was performed using each fraction under the following conditions to identify the fractions containing #2728 cDNA.

The following primers were synthesized on the basis of the sequence of mouse #2728 partial gene fragment obtained in Example 8. Using each fraction of AGM-S3-A9 cDNA library as the template, PCR was performed in 35 cycles, each cycle consisting of 30 sec at 94° C., 30 sec at 55° C. and 1 min at 72° C.

Primer #2728F: AGCAAATACCCAATGTTCGAA (1744-1764) (SEQ ID NO: 41)

Primer #2728R: AGATGTCACAGCTCTCCTGGT (2100-2120) (SEQ ID NO: 42)

PCR products were subjected to 2% agarose gel electrophoresis, and the fractions in which PCR products had an expected size exists were identified. Two positive fractions were seeded on two dishes each(15 cm in diameter with 50,000 plaques) and incubated for 10 hr at 37° C. Plaques in one dish each were transferred into a nylon filter, Biodyne (Pall, Inc, U.S.A.), and DNA on the nylon filters was immobilized by UV crosslinking. Screening was performed using a ³²P-labeled DNA probe.

The probe was prepared as follows using #2728R and T7 as the primers with a plasmid containing the mouse #2728 partial gene fragment as the template. PCR was performed at 35 cycles, each cycle consisting of 30 sec at 94° C., 30 sec at 55° C. and 1 min at 72° C. PCR products were subjected to 2% agarose gel electrophoresis, and the amplified fragment was purified by JETSORB (Genomed, GER). A ³²P-labeled DNA probe was prepared by Megaprime labeling kit (Amersham Pharmacia, Inc., U.S.A) with 25 ng of the PCR amplified fragment as the template.

Primer T7: TAATACGACTCACTATAGGG (SEQ ID NO: 43)

Hybridization with ExpressiHYbSolution (CLONTECH, Inc., U.S.A) and washing were performed according to the package insert leaflet. The hybridized nylon filter was exposed to an X-ray film (Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Japan) for 1 day. The X-ray film was developed by Fuji film auto-developer. A single plaque having the highest signal intensity was taken out from the dish and seeded again on a dish (10 cm in diameter) to produce about 200 plaques. Screening was performed again by the method described above, and a single positive plaque was isolated. The phage clone obtained was used to infect Eschericia coli BM 25.8 according to the package insert leaflet for SMART cDNA library construction kit. The single colony infected was inoculated into 3 mL of LB medium containing 100 μg/mL of ampicillin and incubated at 30° C. overnight. About 10 μg of plasmid was purified from the cultured cells using RPM Kit (BIO 101, Inc., U.S.A.).

The sequence at 5′ end of the inserted DNA fragment was determined using 1 TriplEx5′LD-Insert Screening Amplimer primer (CLONTECH, Inc., U.S.A.) by ABI377DNA sequencer. The nucleotide sequence of the inserted DNA fragment was found to begin with the nucleotide at position 890 of SEQ ID NO: 37. Furthermore, the full length sequence of the inserted DNA fragment was determined by ABI377DNA sequencer and found to include nucleotides 890 to 2857 in SEQ ID NO: 37.

Amplimer Primer: CTCGGGAAGCGCGCCATTGTGTTGGT (SEQ ID NO: 44)

Furthermore, a primer, #2728 RACE1 (sequence 923-952) was synthesized on the basis of the sequence obtained. PCR was performed with LA Taq (Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd., Japan) by using #2728RACE1 and M13 Reverse as the primers and pSPORT1AGM-53A9 cDNA library as the template under the following conditions: 5 cycles with each consisting of 20 sec at 94° C., 30 sec at 68° C. and 4 mm at 72° C.; 5 cycles with each consisting of 20 sec at 94° C., 30 sec at 60° C. and 4 mm at 72° C.; and 20 cycles with each consisting of 20 sec at 94° C., 30 sec at 55° C. and 4 mm at 72° C. The amplified fragment was ligated with pGEM-T Easy Vector (Promega, Inc., U.S.A.) and transformed into Escherichia coli DH5α. The transformed cells were plated on LB agar medium containing 100 μg/mL of ampicillin. An isolated colony was added to a reaction mixture for PCR (10 μL each) and incubated for 5 mm at 94° C. PCR was performed at 35 cycles, with each consisting of 30 sec at 94° C., 30 sec at 55° C. and 1 mm at 72° C., with primers, T7 (SEQ ID NO: 43) and 5P6 (SEQ ID NO: 47) at the final concentration of 0.2 μM. PCR products were subjected to 2% agarose gel electrophoresis to confirm the amplified fragment. Eschericia coli from which the PCR amplified fragment was obtained was inoculated into 3 mL of LB medium containing 100 μg/mL of ampicillin and cultured at 37° C. overnight. Plasmid was purified from the cultured cells with RPM Kit (BIO 101, Inc., U.S.A.) and about 10 μg of plasmid was obtained. The nucleotide sequence of the clone was determined by ABI377DNA sequencer. The nucleotide sequence obtained was found to be nucleotides 1 to 952 of SEQ ID NO: 37.

RACE1 Primer: AACTGGAACCGGTCTGTTAAAAAGTGACAA (SEQ ID NO: 45)

M13 Primer: CAGGAAACAGCTATGAC (SEQ ID NO: 46)

SP6 Primer: GATTTTAGGTGACACTATAG (SEQ ID NO: 47)

Example 10 Cloning of Human Gene #2728 (SEQ ID NO: 39)

Based on the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, the Genbank gene database was searched using the BLAST programs and human EST sequences AI935880, AI052185, AI937502 and AI858126 were found to show homology with mouse #2728 sequence. The following primers were then synthesized based on the sequences of these human ESTs.

H2728F Primer: CATTCCTCCGGCTGCGAGAAAGGA (SEQ ID NO: 48)

H2728R Primer: ATTTCTTTGCAACCCTGCACCTAA (SEQ ID NO: 49)

In an attempt to isolate the human gene cDNA was synthesized from 3 μg of placenta mRNA (CLONTECH, Inc., U.S.A.) using SuperScriptII system (GIBCO-BRL, Inc., U.S.A.) primed with oligo dT primer. PCR was performed using this cDNA as the template, H2728F and H2728R as primers, and Platinum Pfx DNA Polymerase (GIBCO Lifetech, Inc., U.S.A.). The amplified fragment was isolated and ligated into pCR-Blunt vector (Invitrogen, Inc., U.S.A.), and transformed into Eschericia coli strain DH5α. The transformed cells were plated onto LB agar medium containing 100 μg/mL of ampicillin and a single colony was isolated. The isolated colony was added to a reaction mixture (10 μL each) and incubated for 5 mm at 94° C. PCR was performed in 35 cycles, with each consisting of 30 sec at 94° C., 30 sec at 55° C. and 2 mm at 72° C., with T7 and SP6 primers at the final concentration of 0.2 μM. PCR products were subjected to 2% agarose gel electrophoresis to confirm the amplified fragment. Eschericia coli from which the PCR amplified fragment was obtained was inoculated into 3 mL of LB medium containing 100 μg/mL of ampillicin and incubated at 37° C. overnight. Plasmid was purified from the cultured cells with RPM Kit (BIO 101, Inc., U.S.A.), and about 10 μg of plasmid was obtained. The nucleotide sequence of the plasmid insert was determined by ABI377 DNA sequencer, and was confirmed to be a human ortholog of the mouse #2728 sequence. The nucleotide sequence obtained is set out in SEQ ID NO: 39.

Example 11 Expression of Human and Mouse #2728 Gene in Stromal Cells

A. Preparation of Retrovirus Vector for Expression of Mouse #2728 Gene

The open reading frame sequence (the nucleotides base number 873-2465 in SEQ ID NO: 37) from the mouse #2728 sequence was cloned into a retrovirus vector for expression in stromal cells by the following procedures.

Messenger RNA was purified from 1 mg of total RNA from AGM-S3-A9 cells using a mRNA purification kit (Amersham Pharmacia, Inc., U.S.A.). The cDNA was synthesized from the messenger RNA using standard methods. Using m2780orfR and m 2728orfR primers the cDNA as the template and Platinum Pfx DNA Polymerase (GIBCO Lifetech, Inc., U.S.A.), PCR was performed in 30 cycles with each consisting of 20 sec at 94° C., 30 sec at 55° C. and 2 min at 68° C.

m2780orfF: CCGCTCGAGCCACCATGGCAAGGTTCCGGAGGGCCGAC (SEQ ID NO: 50)

m2728orfR: CGGAATTCTTATTGGTTCACTCTGTCTG (SEQ ID NO: 51)

The amplified fragment was digested with restriction enzymes MfeI (NEW ENGLAND Bio Labs INC., U.S.A.) and XhoI and subjected to an electrophoresis. The DNA fragment was then purified by JETSORB (Genomed, Inc., Germany) and ligated into pMX-IRES-GFP vector (provided from Prof. T. Kitamura, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo) previously digested with EcoRI and XhoI the pMX-IRES-GFP vector was prepared by inserting IRES GFP (Internal Ribosome Entry Site Green Fluorescent Protein) into pMX retrovirus vector. The recombinant vector was transformed into Eschericia coli strain DH5α, and the cells were plated on LB agar medium containing 100 μg/mL of ampillicin. An isolated colony was picked and inoculated into 100 mL of LB medium containing 100 μg/mL of ampicillin, and plasmid was purified from the cultured cells using QIAGENtip100 (QIAGEN, Inc., U.S.A.). The sequence of the inserted gene was determined by a usual method, and it was confirmed that the inserted sequence included a portion of SEQ ID NO: 37.

B. Preparation of Retrovirus Vector for Expression of Human #2728 Gene

The open reading frame sequence (nucleotide 596-2185 in SEQ ID NO: 39) from human ortholog to the mouse #2728 gene was inserted into a retrovirus vector for expression in stromal cells.

First, cDNA was synthesized from 3 μg of placenta mRNA (CLONTECH, Inc., U.S.A.) by using a SuperScriptII system (GIBCO-BRL, Inc., U.S.A.)primed with oligo dT primer. Using primers h2728orfF and h2728orfR, cDNA prepared above as the template and Platinum Pfx DNA Polymerase (GIBCO Lifetech, Inc., U.S.A.), PCR was performed in 30 cycles, with each consisting of 20 sec at 94° C., 30 sec at 55° C. and 2 min at 68° C.

h2728orfF: ccgctcgagccaccATGGCGAGGTTCCCGAAGGCCGAC (SEQ ID NO:53)

h2728orfR: ccggaattcTTAGCACTGCTCTGATACAATAAA (SEQ ID NO:54)

The amplified fragment was digested with restriction enzymes EcoRI and XhoI and subjected to an electrophoresis. The amplified DNA fragment was purified by JETSORB (Genomed, Inc., Germany) and ligated into pMX-IRES-GFP vector previously digested with EcoRI and XhoI. The recombinant vector was transformed into Eschericia coli strain DH5α, and the cells were plated on LB agar medium containing 100 μg/mL of ampillicin. An isolated colony was picked and inoculated into 100 mL of LB medium containing 100 μg/mL of ampicillin, and the plasmid was purified using QIAGENtip100 (QIAGEN, Inc., U.S.A.). The sequence of the inserted gene was determined by standard methods, and it was confirmed that the inserted sequence included a portion of SEQ ID NO:39.

C. Transfer of Mouse #2728 Gene into Stromal Cells

BOSC23 cells (2×10⁶ cells) were seeded on a collagen type I coat 60 mm dish (Asahi Techno Glass Co., Ltd.) and incubated in DMEM medium containing 10% FCS at 37° C. under 5% CO2 and 100% humidity, and 12 to 18 hr after incubation, DMEM medium was replaced by 2 mL of OPTI MEM medium (GIBCO BRL, Inc.).

About 3 μg of plasmid encoding the mouse #2728 sequence (prepared as described above) was added to 18 μL of LIPOFECTAMINE Reagent (GIBCO BRL, Inc.) diluted in 100 μL of OPTI MEM medium, and incubated for 30 mm at room temperature. This DNA solution was added to the BOSC23 cell culture medium and about 5 hr later, 2 mL of DMEM medium (GIBCO BRL, Inc.) containing 20% FCS (fetal calf serum) was added to the culture medium. Because ribosomes can attach to the middle of mRNA in the (Internal Ribosome Entry Site) IRES, it is possible that two genes can be expressed from one mRNA by connecting a gene to the 5′ and 3′ ends of the IRES in one transcription unit. In the plasmid prepared above, the cDNA for #2728 gene was inserted 5′ to the IRES and the gene encoding for Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) was inserted 3′. In this system, expression of #2728 gene can be monitored by detecting the expression of GFP using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS).

About 24 hrs later, the medium was replaced by 4 mL of DMEM containing 10% FACS, and incubation was continued for about 48 hrs, after which the cultured medium was isolated. The medium was centrifuged at 1200× g for 16 hrs after filtration through a 0.45 μm filter, and the supernatant was discarded to obtain a virus pellet.

AGM-s3-A9 cells or AGM-S3-A7 cells (1×10⁴ cells each) were inoculated and incubated in 1 mL of MEMα medium (GIBCO BRL, Inc.) containing 10% FCS on a 24-well plate (FALCON, Inc.). Twelve to 18 hrs after inoculation, the virus pellet was suspended in 1 mL of MEMα medium containing 10% FCS, and the culture medium for stromal cells was replaced by the virus suspension medium. POLYBRENE (Sigma, Inc., SEQUA-BRENE) was added to the virus suspension medium to a final concentration of 10 μg/mL, and the mixture was incubated at 37° C. under 5% CO2 and 100% humidity after centrifuging the culture plate at 700 g×g for 45 min. Forty-eight hrs later, the medium was replaced by 1 mL of MEMα containing 10% FCS, and incubation was continued for 24 hrs. The cultured cells were then subseeded on a 6-well plate (FALCON, Inc.), and incubated in 3 mL of MEMα medium containing 10% FCS. Forty-eight hrs after subseeding, GFP expression in stromal cells was confirmed using FACS (Vantage, Becton Dickinson, Inc.) which showed that 80% or more cells expressed the #2728 gene.

Example 12 Isolation of CD34 Positive Stem Cells from Human Cord Blood

Human cord blood was obtained according to Standards of Official Conduct Committee at Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories, Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd., using a heparin-added syringe to prevent coagulation. The heparin-treated cord blood was placed on Lymphoprep (NYCOMED PHARMA, Inc.) and centrifuged at 400× g for 30 min at room temperature to obtain mononuclear cells. Red blood cells in the mononuclear cell fraction were hemolyzed by treating with ammonium chloride buffered solution (0.83% NH4Cl-Tris-HCl 20 mM, pH 6.8) for 2 min at room temperature. Human IgG (10 mg) was added to the mononuclear cells suspension after washing the cells in PBS-FCS, and the mixture was kept for 10 min under ice-cold condition. The cells were washed in PBS-FCS, biotinylated antibodies to specific antigens for human differentiated blood cells such as CD2, CD11c (purified from ATCC hybridoma obtained), CD19 (Pharmingen, Inc.), CD15, CD41 (Leinco Technologies, Inc.) and Glycophorin A (Cosmo Bio, Co., Ltd.) were added to the mononuclear cell suspension, and the mixture was kept for 20 min on ice. After washing in PBS-FCS, the cells were resuspended in 1 mL of PBS (PBS-FCS-EDTA-NaN3) containing 5% FCS, 10 mM EDTA and 0.05% NaN₃. Streptoavidine-conjugated magnetic beads (BioMag, PerSeptive Diagnostics, Inc.) were added to the cell suspension, and the mixture was kept for 40 min on ice. Differentiated blood cells expressing differentiation associated antigens were removed using a magnetic separator (Dynal MPC-1, Dynal, Inc.), and FITC-labeled anti-CD34 antibody (Immunotech S. A., Marseilles, France) was added to the residual differentiated blood cell antigen negative cell fraction. The mixture was incubated for 20 min on ice, and the CD34 positive fraction was isolated by a cell sorter providing a hematopoietic stem cells population.

Example 13 Coculture of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Stromal Cells Expressing #2728 Human or Mouse Gene

AGM-S3-A9 cells, AGM-s3-A7 cells, or AGM-S3-A9 cells or AGM-s3-A7 cells expressing the #2728 mouse or human gene (1×10⁵ cells each) were inoculated on 24-well culture dishes, incubated in MEMα medium containing 10% FCS for 1 day, and grown to confluency the CD34 positive hematopoietic stem cells described above were incubated with the stromal cells described above (500 cells/well), in 1 mL of MEMα medium containing 10% FCS. One week later, an addition 1 mL of the same medium was added to the coculture. After 2 weeks the stromal cells and human blood cells were harvested to evaluate the ability of the stromal cells to support viability of the hematopoietic stem cells as described below.

Example 14 Evaluation of Growth of Hematopoietic Stem Cells and/or Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells by Colony Assay

The cocultured cells were assayed in a methylcellulose culture system and evaluated in triplicate. The methyl cellulose culture system was prepared by adding 10 ng/mL of human SCF, human IL-3, human IL-6, human G-CSF and human TPO, and 2 IU/mL EPO to MethoCult H4230 (Stem Cell Technologies Inc.) and the cultivation was performed on a 6-well culture dish (Falcon, Inc.). The various hematopoietic factors used here were prepared using recombinant techniques to ensure purity. After a 2 week incubation, colonies formed were viewed under a microscopy, and the numbers of CFU-GM (granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming unit), BFU-E (erythroid burst forming unit), and CFU-E mix (erythrocyte mixed colony-forming unit) were counted. The colony forming ability of CD34 positive hematopoietic stem cells cocultured with AGM-s3-A9 expressing mouse #2728 gene is shown in FIG. 6. The colony forming ability of CD34 positive hematopoietic stem cells cocultured with AGM-s3-A7 expressing human #2728 gene for is shown in FIG. 7. Increases in the number of human hematopoietic stem cells, BFU-E and CFU-C, in the coculture with AGM-s3-A9 cells expressing the mouse #2728 gene or AGM-s3-A7 cells expressing the human #2728 gene, indicated that the #2728 gene has the ability to support growth and survival of hematopoietic stem cells, directly or indirectly.

Example 15 Mouse Hematopoietic Stem Cells Assays

Femoral bone marrow was obtained and suspended in PBS. Mouse bone marrow monocytes were concentrated using a specific gravity centrifugation method and resuspended in buffer for staining (PBS containing 5% FCS and 0.05% NaN₃). The stem cells fraction was obtained from the monocyte suspension according to the method of Osawa, M. et al., Science 273: 242-245, 1996.

FITC-conjugated CD34 antibody, phycoerythrin-conjugated Sca-1 antibody and allophycocyanin c-Kit (all manufactured at Pharmingen, Inc.), and 6 biotinylated antibodies specific for differentiation associated antigens CD45R, CD4, CD8, Gr-1, Ter119 and CD11c (all manufactured at Pharmingen, Inc.) were added to the bone marrow monocytes suspension, and the mixture was kept in ice for 20 min. The cells were then washed twice in buffer for staining, and CD34 negative, Sca-1 positive, c-Kit positive and Lin negative cells were isolated using FACS (Vantage, Becton Dickinson, Inc.).

Thirty hematopoietic stem cells (CD34 negative, Sca-1 positive, c-Kit positive and Lin negative cells) were cocultured for 7 days with AGM-s3-A9 expressing mouse the #2728 gene. All cells harvested 7 days after cultivation were transplanted into five C57BL/6-Ly5.2 mice (Charles River, Inc., 8 weeks old, male) irradiated with X-ray (8.5 Gy) by injection into the tail vein together with 2×10⁵ total bone marrow cells (derived from a C57 BL/6-Ly5.2 mouse, Charles River, Inc.).

After transplantation, peripheral blood was harvested and analyzed. Distilled water (350 μL) was added to 50 μL peripheral blood, and the mixture was incubated for 30 sec to hemolyze. After adding PBS (2-fold concentration), the hemolyzed solution was centrifuged to obtain white blood cells. Anti-CD16 antibody, FITC-conjugated anti-CD45.1 antibody, phycoerythrin-conjugated Gr-1 and CD11c antibodies, and allophycocyanin-conjugated CD90 (Thy 1) and CD45R (B220) antibodies (all antibodies purchased from Pharmingen, Inc.) were incubated with the white blood cells, which had previously been washed once in buffer for staining (PBS containing 5% FCS and 0.05% NaN₃), and the mixture was incubated for 30 min on ice. The incubated cells were again washed in buffer for staining and analyzed by using FACS.

The results are shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B. The animals transplanted with hematopoietic stem cells cocultured with AGM-s3-A9 cells expressing the #2728 mouse gene showed chimerism at higher rate compared to animals transplanted hematopoietic stem cells cocultured with untransfected AGM-S3-A9 cells or with the cells expressing control vector alone. The higher rate of chimerism was still confirmed in both myeloid cell lineage and lymphoid cell lineage two months after transplantation. The results indicate that hematopoietic stem cells and/or hematopoietic progenitor cells cultured with the #2728 gene-expressing stromal cells, multiplied more vigorously compared to cells which were not contacted with the #2728 gene product. These results, indicated that the #2728 gene product has the ability to enhance survival and growth of hematopoietic stem cells and/or hematopoietic progenitor cells either directly or indirectly.

Example 16 Production of Monoclonal Antibodies

Various procedures known in the art may be used for the production of monoclonal antibodies to the polypeptide of the invention and or fragment, derivatives, analog, or homolog thereof. Any technique that provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture may be used. These include but are not limited to the trioma technique; the human B-cell hybridoma technique [see Kozbor, et al., 1983 Immunol Today 4: 72] and the EBV hybridoma technique to produce human monoclonal antibodies [see Cole, et al., 1985 In: Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96]. Immortal, antibody-producing cell lines can be created by techniques other than fusion, such as direct transformation of B lymphocytes with oncogenic DNA, or transfection with Epstein-Barr virus, e.g., M. Schreier et al., “Hybridoma Techniques” (1980); Hammerling et al., “Monoclonal Antibodies And T-cell Hybridomas” (1981); Kennett et al., “Monoclonal Antibodies” (1980); also U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,341,761; 4,399,121; 4,427,783; 4,444,887; 4,451,570; 4,466,917; 4,472,500; 4,491,632; and 4,493,890.

In the production of antibodies, screening for the desired antibody can be accomplished by techniques known in the art, e.g., radioimmunoassay, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), “sandwich” immunoassays, immunoradiometric assays, gel diffusion precipitin reactions, immunodiffusion assays, in situ immunoassays (using colloidal gold, enzyme or radioisotope labels, for example), Western blots, precipitation reactions, agglutination assays (e.g., gel agglutination assays, hemagglutination assays), complement fixation assays, immunofluorescence assays, protein A assays, and immunoelectrophoresis assays, etc. Many means are known in the art for detecting binding in an immunoassay and are within the scope of the present invention. For example, to select antibodies which recognize a specific epitope of the polypeptide of the invention, assays generated using hybridomas can be carried out to identify a product which binds to the polypeptide fragment containing such epitope. For selection of an antibody specific to the polypeptide from a particular species of animal, selection is based on detection of positive binding with the polypeptide expressed by or isolated from cells of that species of animal. Specificity of binding by the antibodies is determined using polypeptide of the invention in combination with closely related stem cell factors beyond the scope of the invention.

                   #             SEQUENCE LISTING <160> NUMBER OF SEQ ID NOS: 53 <210> SEQ ID NO 1 <211> LENGTH: 366 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 1 ggcacgagct acatctaaaa gataatggag cttctacaga tgacagtgca gc #tgagaaga     60 aagggggaac cctccacgct ggcctcatcg ttggaatcct catcctggtc ct #cattgtag    120 ccacagccat tcttgtgaca gtctatatgt atcaccaccc aacatcagca gc #cagcatct    180 tctttattga gagacgccca agcagatggc ctgcgatgaa gtttagaaga gg #ctctggac    240 atcctgccta tgctgaagtt gaaccagttg gagagaaaga aggctttatt gt #atcagagc    300 agtgctaaaa tttctaggac agaacaacac cagtactggt ttacaggtgt ta #agactaaa    360 attttg                  #                   #                   #          366 <210> SEQ ID NO 2 <211> LENGTH: 334 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 2 ggcacgagct acatctaaca gataatggag cttctacaga tgacagggca gc #tgagaaga     60 aagggggaac cctccacgct ggcctcatcg ttggaatcct catcctggtc ct #cattgtag    120 ccacagccat tcttgtgaca gtctatatgt atcaccaccc aacatcagca gc #cagcatct    180 tctttattga gagacgccca agcagatggc ctgcgatgaa gtttagaaga gg #ctctggac    240 atcctgccta tgctgaagtt gaaccagttg gagagaaaga aggctttatt gt #atcagagc    300 agtgctaaaa tttctaggac agaacaacac cagt        #                   #       334 <210> SEQ ID NO 3 <211> LENGTH: 422 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 3 cagaaattca actgtcagat attttgataa tggcacagca cttgtggtcc ag #tgggacca     60 tgtacatctc caggataatt ataacctggg aagcttcaca ttccaggcaa cc #ctgctcat    120 ggatggacga atcatctttg gatacaaaga aattcctgtc ttggtcacac ag #ataagttc    180 aaccaatcat ccagtgaaag tcggactgtc cgatgcattt gtcgttgtcc ac #aggatcca    240 acaaattccc agtacgtaga agaagggcag tcgcaatgag tgagcctctg tg #ggggtaaa    300 tttaaaggag attggtctat ggcagctgta cctgaattaa aaaaaaaata gc #taatcgat    360 tagctgatta atgcttaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aa #aaaaaaag    420 gg                   #                   #                   #             422 <210> SEQ ID NO 4 <211> LENGTH: 460 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (1)..(460) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: n = A, T, G, or  #C <400> SEQUENCE: 4 ggcgggaaac tcgatgacca ntagnaagtt cganngccat tagacagtgc gg #aggaattc     60 aaccctttca ctcaaaagag caatgatgaa tgtctcatga tagctaagaa ca #actagccc    120 atgcaagagt gagaacaaac acaaaataag agattttcta cattttcaaa ac #agatgtgt    180 ggcaaaagga tgttgttttt ctggtctaga tccatctgta ccaacaagtt ca #tcacttta    240 cagaacgaat ctttttatcc gtacaggagg ttcaaaccat gtctgcctct tc #ctttgtaa    300 tgaatgacct ttctatgagc tgtgacaaaa tttccgaaca attagctaag ga #tttgggaa    360 gagggggtgg caaacggggc tttctgtttt cctgcctcag catgaaaaca tc #tgatttat    420 gctttatgga agccttacct ccaatcccca actgttaaan      #                   #   460 <210> SEQ ID NO 5 <211> LENGTH: 447 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 5 cggaacatct cccgtggact tatctgaagt atgacaagat tataatgctt tt #ggcttaag     60 cgcagggttg caaagggatc acaaaaaaaa aatcataata aagctttagt tc #atgaggga    120 tcgaaaaaaa caacaaaaaa aacaaaactg aaataactct ataaaaaaaa aa #aaaaagaa    180 aggtaatgac ttacttttga aaggaataac acactgcctg aaaaaagacc ac #aaagacct    240 ggcccaaatt cagaactgtg ttagtgcgga tctcccccca gtctcaacat ta #ggaggctc    300 ctcattcttt gggagatatg aaaacataaa tggagctgtt aacaagggaa cc #gcccagaa    360 aatgtgggtt cacctgcaag accaccccca ccattttgtc tctacgtgcc ct #tgtggata    420 gtgaatcgct tcattccaac tcccact           #                   #            447 <210> SEQ ID NO 6 <211> LENGTH: 484 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (1)..(484) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: n = A, T, G, or  #C <400> SEQUENCE: 6 gagggcattg aatgatnacc ctaggccagn gcggnggaat tcgtttacag gt #gttaagac     60 taaaattttg cctatacctt taagacaaac aaactaacac tcacacaaac aa #gctctaag    120 ctgctgtagc ctgaagaaga caagatttct ggacaagctc agcccaggaa ac #aaagggta    180 aacaaaaaac taaaacttat acaagatacc atttacactg aacatagaat tc #cctagtgg    240 aatgtcatct atagttcact cggaacatct cccgtggact tatctgaagt at #gacaagat    300 tataatgctt ttggcttagg tgcagggttg caaagggatc agaaaaaaaa at #cataataa    360 agctttagtt catgagggat cgacaccttt ggttcaaatg ttctctgatg tc #tcaaagat    420 aactgttttc caaagcctga accctttcac tcaaaagagc aatgatgaat gt #ctcaagat    480 tgct                  #                   #                   #            484 <210> SEQ ID NO 7 <211> LENGTH: 498 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (1)..(498) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: n = A, T, G, or  #C <400> SEQUENCE: 7 gcggggnnat tgaaaccttg gagatcgaga ccctagtcag ngtgcnggaa tt #ccacagat     60 aagttcaacc aatcatccag tgaaagtcgg actgtccgat gcatttgtcg tt #gtccacag    120 gatccaacaa attcccaatg ttcgaagaag aacaatttat gaataccacc ga #gtagagct    180 acaaatgtca aaaattacca acatttcggc tgtggagatg accccattac cc #acatgcct    240 ccagtttaac agatgtggcc cctgtgtatc ttctcagatt ggcttcaact gc #agttggtg    300 tagtaaactt caaagatgtt ccagtggatt tgatcgtcat cggcaggact gg #gtggacag    360 tggatgccct gaagagtcaa aagagaagat gtgtgagaat acagaaccag tg #gaaacttc    420 ttctcgaacc accacaacca taggagcgac aaccacccag ttcagggtcc ta #actaccac    480 cagaagagca gtgacttt              #                   #                   # 498 <210> SEQ ID NO 8 <211> LENGTH: 405 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 8 ggcgaccgac gcgtccgcgg acgcgtgggg aagaggttgt ggcaaacggt tc #tttctgtt     60 ttcctgcctc agcatgaaaa catctgattt atgctttatg gaagccttac ct #ccaatccc    120 caactgttaa gtcccatgaa accacagttg ctctgggctg atggaaacaa aa #ggaaacag    180 tatgaagagt tccttaatca tttttgaaac aaaaatgtta agggatttta aa #catatgat    240 tatttttaat tttatgcctt ttcagtacta aacacccatt tcattgctga tt #cctggcta    300 agaagccatt cacgtcagca tggcgataga aagaatgaaa aaaccctgct ga #atcataca    360 gtaattttct ttaaagcaca tagtagctac ataaatatat atatt    #                 405 <210> SEQ ID NO 9 <211> LENGTH: 407 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 9 ggggaaaagg ggggggcaaa cggggctttc tgttttcctg gctcagcatg aa #aacatctg     60 atttatgctt tatggaagcc ttacctccaa tccccaactg ttaagtccca tg #aaaccaca    120 gttgctctgg gctgatggaa acaaaaggaa acagtatgaa gagttcctta at #catttttg    180 aaacaaaaat gttaagggat tttaaacata tgattatttt taattttatg cc #ttttcagt    240 actaaacacc catttcattg ctgattcctg tctaaaaagc cattcacgtc ag #catggcga    300 tagaaagaaa gaaaaaaccc tgctgaatca tacagtaatt ttctttaaag ca #catagtag    360 ctacataaat atatatatat aaatatattt ttgtttataa ctaacac    #               407 <210> SEQ ID NO 10 <211> LENGTH: 392 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 10 aatacactgg ggccacatct gttaaactgg atgcatgtgg gtaatggggt ca #tctccaca     60 gccgaaatgt tggtaatttt tgacatttgt agctctaccc ggtggtattc at #aaattgtt    120 cttcttcgaa cattgggaat ttgttggatc ctgtggacaa cgacaaatgc at #cggacagt    180 ccgactttca ctggatgatt ggttgaactt atctgtgtga ccaagacagg aa #tttctttg    240 tatccaaaga tgattcgtcc atccatgagc agggttgcct ggaatgtgaa gc #ttcccagg    300 ttataattat cctggagatg tacatggtcc cactggacca caagtgctgt gc #cattatca    360 aaatatctga cagttgaatt tctggataca ct        #                   #         392 <210> SEQ ID NO 11 <211> LENGTH: 417 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 11 aatacatggt ggtgatacat atagactgtc acaagaatgg ctgtggctac aa #tgaggacc     60 aggatgagga ttccaacgat gaggccagcg tggagggttc cccctttctt ct #cagctgca    120 ctgtcatctg tagaagctcc attatctttt agatgtagtg ctatcttggt at #catcttct    180 gtagggaggc tggtgggaaa ctgagaagtc actgctcttc tggtggtagt ta #ggaccctg    240 aactgggtgg ttgtcgctcc tatggttgtg gtggttcgag aagaagtttc ca #ctggttct    300 gtattctcac acatcttctc ttttgactct tcagggcatc cactgtccac cc #agtcctgc    360 cgatgacgat caaatccact ggaacatctt tgaagtttac tacaccaact gc #agttg       417 <210> SEQ ID NO 12 <211> LENGTH: 415 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 12 cggacgcgtg ggtcgaatgc taacagccac agtacatagc acctttaatg gc #aaatttcg     60 atcccagtgt atccagaaat tcaactgtca gatattttga taatggcaca gc #acttgtgg    120 tccagtggga ccatgtacat ctccaggata attataacct gggaagcttc ac #attccagg    180 caaccctgct catggatgga cgaatcatct ttggatacaa agaaattcct gt #cttggtca    240 cacagataag ttcaaccaat catccagtga aagtcggact gtccgatgca tt #tgtcgttg    300 tccacaggat ccaacaaatt cccagtacgt aaaagaaggg cagtcgcaat ga #gtgagcct    360 ctgtgggggt aaatttaaag gagattggtc tatggcagct gtacctgaat ta #aaa         415 <210> SEQ ID NO 13 <211> LENGTH: 494 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 13 ccgtcagtgt ggaggaattc gcaagagtga atctgtcctt cgattttcca ta #ttatgggc     60 acttcctacg tgaaatcact gtggcaaccg gcggtttcat atacactgga ga #agtcgcac    120 atcgaaggct aacaaccaca cagtacatag cacctttaat aggcaaatat cg #atcccagt    180 gtatccagaa attcatctga cagatatttt gataatggca cagcacttgt gg #tccagtgg    240 gaccatgtac atcttcagga taattataac ctgggaagct tgacattcca gg #cgaccctg    300 ctcatggatg gacgaatcat ctttggatac aaagaaattc ctgtcttggt ca #cacagatc    360 agttcaacca atcatccagt gaaagtcgga ctgtccgatg catttgtcgt tg #tccacagg    420 atccaacaaa ttcccaatgt tcgaagaaga acaatttatg aataccaccg ag #tagagcta    480 caaatgtcga acat               #                   #                   #    494 <210> SEQ ID NO 14 <211> LENGTH: 453 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 14 aagatttcta ggacagaaca acaccagtac tggtttacag gtgttaagac ta #aaattttg     60 cctatacctt taagacaaac aaacaaacac acacacaaac aagctctaag ct #gctgtagc    120 ctgaagaaga caagatttct ggacaagctc agcccaggaa acaaagggta aa #caaaaaac    180 taaaacttat acaagatacc atttacactg aacatagaat tccctagtgg aa #tgtcatct    240 atagttcact cggaacatct cccgtggact tatctgaagt atgacaagat ta #taatgctt    300 ttggcttagg tgcagggttg caaagggatc agaaaaaaaa aatcataata aa #gctttagt    360 tcatgaggga tcgacacctt tggttcaaat gttctctgat gtctcaaaga ta #actgtttt    420 ccaaagcctg aaccctttca ctcaaaagag caa        #                   #        453 <210> SEQ ID NO 15 <211> LENGTH: 430 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (1)..(430) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: n = A, T, G, or  #C <400> SEQUENCE: 15 ctgcaggaat tcggcacgag cccaacatca gcagccagca tcttctttat tg #agagacgc     60 ccaagcagat ggcctgcgat gaagtttaga agaggctctg gacatcctgc ct #atgctgaa    120 gttgaaccag ttggagagaa agaaggcttt attgtatcag agcagtgcta aa #atttctag    180 gacagaacaa caccagtact ggtttacagg tgttaagact aaaattttgc ct #ataccttt    240 aagacaaaca aacaaacaca cacacaaaca agctctaagc tgctgtagcc tg #aagaagac    300 aagatttctg gacaagctca gcccaggaaa caaagggtaa acaaaaaact aa #aacttata    360 caagatacca tttacactga acatagaatt ccctagtgga atgtcatcta ta #gttcactc    420 ggaacatctn                 #                   #                   #       430 <210> SEQ ID NO 16 <211> LENGTH: 405 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (1)..(405) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: n = A, T, G, or  #C <400> SEQUENCE: 16 agagaaagaa ggctttattg tatcagagca gtgctaaaat ttctaggaca ga #acaacacc     60 agtactggtt tacaggtgtt aagactaaaa ttttgcctat acctttaaga ca #aacaaaca    120 aacacacaca caaacaagct ctaagctgct gtagcctgaa gaagacaaga tt #tctggaca    180 agctcagccc aggaaacaaa gggtaaacaa aaaactaaaa cttatacaag at #accattta    240 cactgaacat agaattccct agtggaatgt catctatagt tcactcggaa ca #tctcccgt    300 ggacttatct gaagtatgac aagattataa tgcttttggc ttatgtgcag gg #ttgcaaag    360 ggatcagaan aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaagggggg gcgtt    #                 405 <210> SEQ ID NO 17 <211> LENGTH: 412 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (1)..(412) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: n = A, T, G, or  #C <400> SEQUENCE: 17 cccacgcgtc cgcccacgcg tccgtacaga ccacaattac tatatatctc ga #atatatgg     60 tccatctgat tctgccagcc gggatttatg ggtgaacata gaccaaatgg aa #aaagataa    120 agtgaagatt catggaatat tgtccaatac tcatcggcaa gctgcaagag tg #aatctgtc    180 cttcgatttt ccattttatg gccacttcct acgtgaaatc actgtggcaa cc #gggggttt    240 catatacact ggagaagtcg tacatcgaat gctaacagcc acacagtaca ta #gcaccttt    300 aatggcaaat ttcgatccca gtgtatccag aaattcaact gtcagatatt tt #gataatgg    360 cacagcactt gtggtccagt gggaccatgt acatctccag gataattata an #            412 <210> SEQ ID NO 18 <211> LENGTH: 440 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (1)..(440) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: n = A, T, G, or  #C <400> SEQUENCE: 18 gaattcggca cgagctctaa gctgctgtag cctgaagaag acaagatttc tg #gacaagct     60 cagcccagga aacaaagggt aaacaaaaaa ctaaaactta tacaagatac ca #tttacact    120 gaacatagaa ttccctagtg gaatgtcatc tatagttcac tcggaacatc tc #ccgtggac    180 ttatctgaag tatgacaaga ttataatgct tttggcttag gtgcagggtt gc #aaagggat    240 cagaaaaaaa aaatcataat aaagctttag ttcatgaggg aaaaaaaaaa aa #aaaaaacc    300 tcgggggggg cccgggcccc catttcccct tatagggggc ggtataacaa tc #cctgggcc    360 gcggtttaac accgccggga cgggaaaacc cctggggtac cccacttaaa tc #cctttgga    420 caaaaaaann annagggcgg             #                   #                   #440 <210> SEQ ID NO 19 <211> LENGTH: 416 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 19 gttgccgatg gggaagaatc acagcggccg caatacatgg gtctgtattc tc #acacatct     60 tttcttttga ctcttcaggg catccactgt ccacggggtc cttgtcgatg ac #gatcaaat    120 ccactggaac atctttgaag tttactacac caactgcagt tgaagccaat ct #gagaagat    180 acacaggggc cacatctgtt aaactggagg catgtgggta atggggtcat ct #ccacagcc    240 gaaatgttgg taatttttga catttgtagc tctactcggt ggtattcata aa #ttgttctt    300 ctttcaacat tgggaatttg ctggatcctg gggacaacga caaatgcatt gg #acaggccg    360 actttcactg gatgaatgga tgaacttatc tgggggagca agacaggaat tt #cttg        416 <210> SEQ ID NO 20 <211> LENGTH: 382 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 20 aatacatggt tctgattctc acacatcttc tcttttgact cttcagggca tc #cactgtcc     60 acccagtccc gccgatgacg atcaaatcca ctggaacatc tttgaagttt ac #tacaccaa    120 ctgcagttga agccaatctg agaagataca caggggccac atctgttaaa ct #ggaggcat    180 gtgggtaatg gggtcatctc cacagccgaa atgttggtaa tttttgacat tt #gtagctct    240 actcggtggt attcataaat tgttcttctt cgaacattgg gaatttgttg ga #tcctgtgg    300 acaacgacaa atgcatcgga cagtccgact ttcactggat gattgggtga ac #ttatctgt    360 gggaccaaga caggaatttc tt            #                   #                382 <210> SEQ ID NO 21 <211> LENGTH: 406 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 21 aatacatgcc tggaatgtga agcttcccag gttataatta tcctggagat gt #acatggtc     60 ccactggacc acaagtgctg tgccattatc aaaatatctg acagttgaat tt #ctggatac    120 actgggatcg aaatttgcca ttaaaggtgc tatgtactgt gtggctgtta gc #attcgatg    180 tacgacttct ccagtgtata tgaaaccccc ggttgccaca gtgatttcac gt #aggaagtg    240 gccataaaat ggaaaatcga aggacagatt cactcttgca gcttgccgat ga #gtattgga    300 caatattcca tgaatcttca ctttatcttt ttccatttgg tctatgttca cc #cataaatc    360 ccggctggca gaatcagatg gaccatatat tcgagatata tagtag    #                406 <210> SEQ ID NO 22 <211> LENGTH: 2668 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 22 cccacgcgtc cgcccacgcg tccgtacaga ccacaattac tatatatctc ga #atatatgg     60 tccatctgat tctgccagcc gggatttatg ggtgaacata gaccaaatgg aa #aaagataa    120 agtgaagatt catggaatat tgtccaatac tcatcggcaa gctgcaagag tg #aatctgtc    180 cttcgatttt ccattttatg gccacttcct acgtgaaatc actgtggcaa cc #gggggttt    240 catatacact ggagaagtcg tacatcgaat gctaacagcc acacagtaca ta #gcaccttt    300 aatggcaaat ttcgatccca gtgtatccag aaattcaact gtcagatatt tt #gataatgg    360 cacagcactt gtggtccagt gggaccatgt acatctccag gataattata ac #ctgggaag    420 cttcacattc caggcaaccc tgctcatgga tggacgaatc atctttggat ac #aaagaaat    480 tcctgtcttg gtcacacaga taagttcaac caatcatcca gtgaaagtcg ga #ctgtccga    540 tgcatttgtc gttgtccaca ggatccaaca aattcccaat gttcgaagaa ga #acaattta    600 tgaataccac cgagtagagc tacaaatgtc aaaaattacc aacatttcgg ct #gtggagat    660 gaccccatta cccacatgcc tccagtttaa cagatgtggc ccctgtgtat ct #tctcagat    720 tggcttcaac tgcagttggt gtagtaaact tcaaagatgt tccagtggat tt #gatcgtca    780 tcggcaggac tgggtggaca gtggatgccc tgaagagtca aaagagaaga tg #tgtgagaa    840 tacagaacca gtggaaactt cttctcgaac caccacaacc ataggagcga ca #accaccca    900 gttcagggtc ctaactacca ccagaagagc agtgacttct cagtttccca cc #agcctccc    960 tacagaagat gataccaaga tagcactaca tctaaaagat aatggagctt ct #acagatga   1020 cagtgcagct gagaagaaag ggggaaccct ccacgctggc ctcatcgttg ga #atcctcat   1080 cctggtcctc attgtagcca cagccattct tgtgacagtc tatatgtatc ac #cacccaac   1140 atcagcagcc agcatcttct ttattgagag acgcccaagc agatggcctg cg #atgaagtt   1200 tagaagaggc tctggacatc ctgcctatgc tgaagttgaa ccagttggag ag #aaagaagg   1260 ctttattgta tcagagcagt gctaaaattt ctaggacaga acaacaccag ta #ctggttta   1320 caggtgttaa gactaaaatt ttgcctatac ctttaagaca aacaaacaaa ca #cacacaca   1380 aacaagctct aagctgctgt agcctgaaga agacaagatt tctggacaag ct #cagcccag   1440 gaaacaaagg gtaaacaaaa aactaaaact tatacaagat accatttaca ct #gaacatag   1500 aattccctag tggaatgtca tctatagttc actcggaaca tctcccgtgg ac #ttatctga   1560 agtatgacaa gattataatg cttttggctt aggtgcaggg ttgcaaaggg at #cagaaaaa   1620 aaaaatcata ataaagcttt agttcatgag ggatcgacac ctttggttca aa #tgttctct   1680 gatgtctcaa agataactgt tttccaaagc ctgaaccctt tcactcaaaa ga #gcaatgat   1740 gaatgtctca agattgctaa gaaaaacagc ccatgcaaga gtgagaacaa ac #acaaaata   1800 agagattttc tacattttca aaacagatgt gtggcaaaag gatgttgttt tt #ctggtcta   1860 gatccatctg taccaacaag ttcatcactt tacagaacga atctttttat cc #gtacagga   1920 ggttcaaacc atgtctgcct cttcctttgt aatgaatgac ctttctatga gc #tgtgacaa   1980 aatttccgaa caattagcta aggatttggg aagagggggt ggcaaacggg gc #tttctgtt   2040 ttcctgcctc agcatgaaaa catctgattt atgctttatg gaagccttac ct #ccaatccc   2100 caactgttaa gtcccatgaa accacagttg ctctgggctg atggaaacaa aa #ggaaacag   2160 tatgaagagt tccttaatca tttttgaaac aaaaatgtta agggatttta aa #catatgat   2220 tatttttaat tttatgcctt ttcagtacta aacacccatt tcattgctga tt #cctgtcta   2280 agaagccatt cacgtcagca tggcgataga aagaatgaaa aaaccctgct ga #atcataca   2340 gtaattttct ttaaagcaca tagtagttac ataaatatat atatataaat at #atttttgt   2400 ttataactaa cacaaggcag gatcttgtga ctctaagagt gcgttttgtc at #caagacaa   2460 aacagatgca agatgcatca ctgcattact tccatagagt tgtaaaataa tc #cttaatat   2520 tagaatattt ttctgtcact tagcaaaagt ggttcagttc attgccgcgc cc #atcatgtt   2580 cttgactatt tgatccactt tttcgtttat gtcaacccct tccctctctg gc #taaataaa   2640 gtggatgcag aaagctcctt aaatggaa          #                   #           2668 <210> SEQ ID NO 23 <211> LENGTH: 392 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 23 Met Glu Lys Asp Lys Val Lys Ile His Gly Il #e Leu Ser Asn Thr His 1               5    #                10   #                15 Arg Gln Ala Ala Arg Val Asn Leu Ser Phe As #p Phe Pro Phe Tyr Gly             20       #            25       #            30 His Phe Leu Arg Glu Ile Thr Val Ala Thr Gl #y Gly Phe Ile Tyr Thr         35           #        40           #        45 Gly Glu Val Val His Arg Met Leu Thr Ala Th #r Gln Tyr Ile Ala Pro     50               #    55               #    60 Leu Met Ala Asn Phe Asp Pro Ser Val Ser Ar #g Asn Ser Thr Val Arg 65                   #70                   #75                   #80 Tyr Phe Asp Asn Gly Thr Ala Leu Val Val Gl #n Trp Asp His Val His                 85   #                90   #                95 Leu Gln Asp Asn Tyr Asn Leu Gly Ser Phe Th #r Phe Gln Ala Thr Leu             100       #           105       #           110 Leu Met Asp Gly Arg Ile Ile Phe Gly Tyr Ly #s Glu Ile Pro Val Leu         115           #       120           #       125 Val Thr Gln Ile Ser Ser Thr Asn His Pro Va #l Lys Val Gly Leu Ser     130               #   135               #   140 Asp Ala Phe Val Val Val His Arg Ile Gln Gl #n Ile Pro Asn Val Arg 145                 1 #50                 1 #55                 1 #60 Arg Arg Thr Ile Tyr Glu Tyr His Arg Val Gl #u Leu Gln Met Ser Lys                 165   #               170   #               175 Ile Thr Asn Ile Ser Ala Val Glu Met Thr Pr #o Leu Pro Thr Cys Leu             180       #           185       #           190 Gln Phe Asn Arg Cys Gly Pro Cys Val Ser Se #r Gln Ile Gly Phe Asn         195           #       200           #       205 Cys Ser Trp Cys Ser Lys Leu Gln Arg Cys Se #r Ser Gly Phe Asp Arg     210               #   215               #   220 His Arg Gln Asp Trp Val Asp Ser Gly Cys Pr #o Glu Glu Ser Lys Glu 225                 2 #30                 2 #35                 2 #40 Lys Met Cys Glu Asn Thr Glu Pro Val Glu Th #r Ser Ser Arg Thr Thr                 245   #               250   #               255 Thr Thr Ile Gly Ala Thr Thr Thr Gln Phe Ar #g Val Leu Thr Thr Thr             260       #           265       #           270 Arg Arg Ala Val Thr Ser Gln Phe Pro Thr Se #r Leu Pro Thr Glu Asp         275           #       280           #       285 Asp Thr Lys Ile Ala Leu His Leu Lys Asp As #n Gly Ala Ser Thr Asp     290               #   295               #   300 Asp Ser Ala Ala Glu Lys Lys Gly Gly Thr Le #u His Ala Gly Leu Ile 305                 3 #10                 3 #15                 3 #20 Val Gly Ile Leu Ile Leu Val Leu Ile Val Al #a Thr Ala Ile Leu Val                 325   #               330   #               335 Thr Val Tyr Met Tyr His His Pro Thr Ser Al #a Ala Ser Ile Phe Phe             340       #           345       #           350 Ile Glu Arg Arg Pro Ser Arg Trp Pro Ala Me #t Lys Phe Arg Arg Gly         355           #       360           #       365 Ser Gly His Pro Ala Tyr Ala Glu Val Glu Pr #o Val Gly Glu Lys Glu     370               #   375               #   380 Gly Phe Ile Val Ser Glu Gln Cys 385                 3 #90 <210> SEQ ID NO 24 <211> LENGTH: 2668 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (107)..(1282) <400> SEQUENCE: 24 cccacgcgtc cgcccacgcg tccgtacaga ccacaattac tatatatctc ga #atatatgg     60 tccatctgat tctgccagcc gggatttatg ggtgaacata gaccaa atg  #gaa aaa       115                    #                   #               Met Glu  #Lys                    #                   #               1 gat aaa gtg aag att cat gga ata ttg tcc aa #t act cat cgg caa gct      163 Asp Lys Val Lys Ile His Gly Ile Leu Ser As #n Thr His Arg Gln Ala     5               #     10              #     15 gca aga gtg aat ctg tcc ttc gat ttt cca tt #t tat ggc cac ttc cta      211 Ala Arg Val Asn Leu Ser Phe Asp Phe Pro Ph #e Tyr Gly His Phe Leu 20                   #25                   #30                   #35 cgt gaa atc act gtg gca acc ggg ggt ttc at #a tac act gga gaa gtc      259 Arg Glu Ile Thr Val Ala Thr Gly Gly Phe Il #e Tyr Thr Gly Glu Val                 40   #                45   #                50 gta cat cga atg cta aca gcc aca cag tac at #a gca cct tta atg gca      307 Val His Arg Met Leu Thr Ala Thr Gln Tyr Il #e Ala Pro Leu Met Ala             55       #            60       #            65 aat ttc gat ccc agt gta tcc aga aat tca ac #t gtc aga tat ttt gat      355 Asn Phe Asp Pro Ser Val Ser Arg Asn Ser Th #r Val Arg Tyr Phe Asp         70           #        75           #        80 aat ggc aca gca ctt gtg gtc cag tgg gac ca #t gta cat ctc cag gat      403 Asn Gly Thr Ala Leu Val Val Gln Trp Asp Hi #s Val His Leu Gln Asp     85               #    90               #    95 aat tat aac ctg gga agc ttc aca ttc cag gc #a acc ctg ctc atg gat      451 Asn Tyr Asn Leu Gly Ser Phe Thr Phe Gln Al #a Thr Leu Leu Met Asp 100                 1 #05                 1 #10                 1 #15 gga cga atc atc ttt gga tac aaa gaa att cc #t gtc ttg gtc aca cag      499 Gly Arg Ile Ile Phe Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ile Pr #o Val Leu Val Thr Gln                 120   #               125   #               130 ata agt tca acc aat cat cca gtg aaa gtc gg #a ctg tcc gat gca ttt      547 Ile Ser Ser Thr Asn His Pro Val Lys Val Gl #y Leu Ser Asp Ala Phe             135       #           140       #           145 gtc gtt gtc cac agg atc caa caa att ccc aa #t gtt cga aga aga aca      595 Val Val Val His Arg Ile Gln Gln Ile Pro As #n Val Arg Arg Arg Thr         150           #       155           #       160 att tat gaa tac cac cga gta gag cta caa at #g tca aaa att acc aac      643 Ile Tyr Glu Tyr His Arg Val Glu Leu Gln Me #t Ser Lys Ile Thr Asn     165               #   170               #   175 att tcg gct gtg gag atg acc cca tta ccc ac #a tgc ctc cag ttt aac      691 Ile Ser Ala Val Glu Met Thr Pro Leu Pro Th #r Cys Leu Gln Phe Asn 180                 1 #85                 1 #90                 1 #95 aga tgt ggc ccc tgt gta tct tct cag att gg #c ttc aac tgc agt tgg      739 Arg Cys Gly Pro Cys Val Ser Ser Gln Ile Gl #y Phe Asn Cys Ser Trp                 200   #               205   #               210 tgt agt aaa ctt caa aga tgt tcc agt gga tt #t gat cgt cat cgg cag      787 Cys Ser Lys Leu Gln Arg Cys Ser Ser Gly Ph #e Asp Arg His Arg Gln             215       #           220       #           225 gac tgg gtg gac agt gga tgc cct gaa gag tc #a aaa gag aag atg tgt      835 Asp Trp Val Asp Ser Gly Cys Pro Glu Glu Se #r Lys Glu Lys Met Cys         230           #       235           #       240 gag aat aca gaa cca gtg gaa act tct tct cg #a acc acc aca acc ata      883 Glu Asn Thr Glu Pro Val Glu Thr Ser Ser Ar #g Thr Thr Thr Thr Ile     245               #   250               #   255 gga gcg aca acc acc cag ttc agg gtc cta ac #t acc acc aga aga gca      931 Gly Ala Thr Thr Thr Gln Phe Arg Val Leu Th #r Thr Thr Arg Arg Ala 260                 2 #65                 2 #70                 2 #75 gtg act tct cag ttt ccc acc agc ctc cct ac #a gaa gat gat acc aag      979 Val Thr Ser Gln Phe Pro Thr Ser Leu Pro Th #r Glu Asp Asp Thr Lys                 280   #               285   #               290 ata gca cta cat cta aaa gat aat gga gct tc #t aca gat gac agt gca     1027 Ile Ala Leu His Leu Lys Asp Asn Gly Ala Se #r Thr Asp Asp Ser Ala             295       #           300       #           305 gct gag aag aaa ggg gga acc ctc cac gct gg #c ctc atc gtt gga atc     1075 Ala Glu Lys Lys Gly Gly Thr Leu His Ala Gl #y Leu Ile Val Gly Ile         310           #       315           #       320 ctc atc ctg gtc ctc att gta gcc aca gcc at #t ctt gtg aca gtc tat     1123 Leu Ile Leu Val Leu Ile Val Ala Thr Ala Il #e Leu Val Thr Val Tyr     325               #   330               #   335 atg tat cac cac cca aca tca gca gcc agc at #c ttc ttt att gag aga     1171 Met Tyr His His Pro Thr Ser Ala Ala Ser Il #e Phe Phe Ile Glu Arg 340                 3 #45                 3 #50                 3 #55 cgc cca agc aga tgg cct gcg atg aag ttt ag #a aga ggc tct gga cat     1219 Arg Pro Ser Arg Trp Pro Ala Met Lys Phe Ar #g Arg Gly Ser Gly His                 360   #               365   #               370 cct gcc tat gct gaa gtt gaa cca gtt gga ga #g aaa gaa ggc ttt att     1267 Pro Ala Tyr Ala Glu Val Glu Pro Val Gly Gl #u Lys Glu Gly Phe Ile             375       #           380       #           385 gta tca gag cag tgc taaaatttct aggacagaac aacaccagt #a ctggtttaca     1322 Val Ser Glu Gln Cys         390 ggtgttaaga ctaaaatttt gcctatacct ttaagacaaa caaacaaaca ca #cacacaaa   1382 caagctctaa gctgctgtag cctgaagaag acaagatttc tggacaagct ca #gcccagga   1442 aacaaagggt aaacaaaaaa ctaaaactta tacaagatac catttacact ga #acatagaa   1502 ttccctagtg gaatgtcatc tatagttcac tcggaacatc tcccgtggac tt #atctgaag   1562 tatgacaaga ttataatgct tttggcttag gtgcagggtt gcaaagggat ca #gaaaaaaa   1622 aaatcataat aaagctttag ttcatgaggg atcgacacct ttggttcaaa tg #ttctctga   1682 tgtctcaaag ataactgttt tccaaagcct gaaccctttc actcaaaaga gc #aatgatga   1742 atgtctcaag attgctaaga aaaacagccc atgcaagagt gagaacaaac ac #aaaataag   1802 agattttcta cattttcaaa acagatgtgt ggcaaaagga tgttgttttt ct #ggtctaga   1862 tccatctgta ccaacaagtt catcacttta cagaacgaat ctttttatcc gt #acaggagg   1922 ttcaaaccat gtctgcctct tcctttgtaa tgaatgacct ttctatgagc tg #tgacaaaa   1982 tttccgaaca attagctaag gatttgggaa gagggggtgg caaacggggc tt #tctgtttt   2042 cctgcctcag catgaaaaca tctgatttat gctttatgga agccttacct cc #aatcccca   2102 actgttaagt cccatgaaac cacagttgct ctgggctgat ggaaacaaaa gg #aaacagta   2162 tgaagagttc cttaatcatt tttgaaacaa aaatgttaag ggattttaaa ca #tatgatta   2222 tttttaattt tatgcctttt cagtactaaa cacccatttc attgctgatt cc #tgtctaag   2282 aagccattca cgtcagcatg gcgatagaaa gaatgaaaaa accctgctga at #catacagt   2342 aattttcttt aaagcacata gtagttacat aaatatatat atataaatat at #ttttgttt   2402 ataactaaca caaggcagga tcttgtgact ctaagagtgc gttttgtcat ca #agacaaaa   2462 cagatgcaag atgcatcact gcattacttc catagagttg taaaataatc ct #taatatta   2522 gaatattttt ctgtcactta gcaaaagtgg ttcagttcat tgccgcgccc at #catgttct   2582 tgactatttg atccactttt tcgtttatgt caaccccttc cctctctggc ta #aataaagt   2642 ggatgcagaa agctccttaa atggaa           #                   #            2668 <210> SEQ ID NO 25 <211> LENGTH: 392 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 25 Met Glu Lys Asp Lys Val Lys Ile His Gly Il #e Leu Ser Asn Thr His 1               5    #                10   #                15 Arg Gln Ala Ala Arg Val Asn Leu Ser Phe As #p Phe Pro Phe Tyr Gly             20       #            25       #            30 His Phe Leu Arg Glu Ile Thr Val Ala Thr Gl #y Gly Phe Ile Tyr Thr         35           #        40           #        45 Gly Glu Val Val His Arg Met Leu Thr Ala Th #r Gln Tyr Ile Ala Pro     50               #    55               #    60 Leu Met Ala Asn Phe Asp Pro Ser Val Ser Ar #g Asn Ser Thr Val Arg 65                   #70                   #75                   #80 Tyr Phe Asp Asn Gly Thr Ala Leu Val Val Gl #n Trp Asp His Val His                 85   #                90   #                95 Leu Gln Asp Asn Tyr Asn Leu Gly Ser Phe Th #r Phe Gln Ala Thr Leu             100       #           105       #           110 Leu Met Asp Gly Arg Ile Ile Phe Gly Tyr Ly #s Glu Ile Pro Val Leu         115           #       120           #       125 Val Thr Gln Ile Ser Ser Thr Asn His Pro Va #l Lys Val Gly Leu Ser     130               #   135               #   140 Asp Ala Phe Val Val Val His Arg Ile Gln Gl #n Ile Pro Asn Val Arg 145                 1 #50                 1 #55                 1 #60 Arg Arg Thr Ile Tyr Glu Tyr His Arg Val Gl #u Leu Gln Met Ser Lys                 165   #               170   #               175 Ile Thr Asn Ile Ser Ala Val Glu Met Thr Pr #o Leu Pro Thr Cys Leu             180       #           185       #           190 Gln Phe Asn Arg Cys Gly Pro Cys Val Ser Se #r Gln Ile Gly Phe Asn         195           #       200           #       205 Cys Ser Trp Cys Ser Lys Leu Gln Arg Cys Se #r Ser Gly Phe Asp Arg     210               #   215               #   220 His Arg Gln Asp Trp Val Asp Ser Gly Cys Pr #o Glu Glu Ser Lys Glu 225                 2 #30                 2 #35                 2 #40 Lys Met Cys Glu Asn Thr Glu Pro Val Glu Th #r Ser Ser Arg Thr Thr                 245   #               250   #               255 Thr Thr Ile Gly Ala Thr Thr Thr Gln Phe Ar #g Val Leu Thr Thr Thr             260       #           265       #           270 Arg Arg Ala Val Thr Ser Gln Phe Pro Thr Se #r Leu Pro Thr Glu Asp         275           #       280           #       285 Asp Thr Lys Ile Ala Leu His Leu Lys Asp As #n Gly Ala Ser Thr Asp     290               #   295               #   300 Asp Ser Ala Ala Glu Lys Lys Gly Gly Thr Le #u His Ala Gly Leu Ile 305                 3 #10                 3 #15                 3 #20 Val Gly Ile Leu Ile Leu Val Leu Ile Val Al #a Thr Ala Ile Leu Val                 325   #               330   #               335 Thr Val Tyr Met Tyr His His Pro Thr Ser Al #a Ala Ser Ile Phe Phe             340       #           345       #           350 Ile Glu Arg Arg Pro Ser Arg Trp Pro Ala Me #t Lys Phe Arg Arg Gly         355           #       360           #       365 Ser Gly His Pro Ala Tyr Ala Glu Val Glu Pr #o Val Gly Glu Lys Glu     370               #   375               #   380 Gly Phe Ile Val Ser Glu Gln Cys 385                 3 #90 <210> SEQ ID NO 26 <211> LENGTH: 1179 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 26 atggaaaaag ataaagtgaa gattcatgga atattgtcca atactcatcg gc #aagctgca     60 agagtgaatc tgtccttcga ttttccattt tatggccact tcctacgtga aa #tcactgtg    120 gcaaccgggg gtttcatata cactggagaa gtcgtacatc gaatgctaac ag #ccacacag    180 tacatagcac ctttaatggc aaatttcgat cccagtgtat ccagaaattc aa #ctgtcaga    240 tattttgata atggcacagc acttgtggtc cagtgggacc atgtacatct cc #aggataat    300 tataacctgg gaagcttcac attccaggca accctgctca tggatggacg aa #tcatcttt    360 ggatacaaag aaattcctgt cttggtcaca cagataagtt caaccaatca tc #cagtgaaa    420 gtcggactgt ccgatgcatt tgtcgttgtc cacaggatcc aacaaattcc ca #atgttcga    480 agaagaacaa tttatgaata ccaccgagta gagctacaaa tgtcaaaaat ta #ccaacatt    540 tcggctgtgg agatgacccc attacccaca tgcctccagt ttaacagatg tg #gcccctgt    600 gtatcttctc agattggctt caactgcagt tggtgtagta aacttcaaag at #gttccagt    660 ggatttgatc gtcatcggca ggactgggtg gacagtggat gccctgaaga gt #caaaagag    720 aagatgtgtg agaatacaga accagtggaa acttcttctc gaaccaccac aa #ccatagga    780 gcgacaacca cccagttcag ggtcctaact accaccagaa gagcagtgac tt #ctcagttt    840 cccaccagcc tccctacaga agatgatacc aagatagcac tacatctaaa ag #ataatgga    900 gcttctacag atgacagtgc agctgagaag aaagggggaa ccctccacgc tg #gcctcatc    960 gttggaatcc tcatcctggt cctcattgta gccacagcca ttcttgtgac ag #tctatatg   1020 tatcaccacc caacatcagc agccagcatc ttctttattg agagacgccc aa #gcagatgg   1080 cctgcgatga agtttagaag aggctctgga catcctgcct atgctgaagt tg #aaccagtt   1140 ggagagaaag aaggctttat tgtatcagag cagtgctaa       #                   #  1179 <210> SEQ ID NO 27 <211> LENGTH: 3095 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (123)..(1712) <400> SEQUENCE: 27 tttcgttccg ggtcctaccg agaccgatcc gcagcgtttg gcccggtcgt gc #ctattgca     60 tcgggagccc ccgagcaccg gcgaaggact ggcggctggg gtagggaggt gg #cggcggcg    120 gc atg gcg agg ttc ccg aag gcc gac ctg gcc # gct gca gga gtt atg       167    Met Ala Arg Phe Pro Lys Ala Asp Leu  #Ala Ala Ala Gly Val Met    1                #5                   # 10                  # 15 tta ctt tgc cac ttc ttc acg gac cag ttt ca #g ttc gcc gat ggg aaa      215 Leu Leu Cys His Phe Phe Thr Asp Gln Phe Gl #n Phe Ala Asp Gly Lys                 20   #                25   #                30 ccc gga gac caa atc ctt gat tgg cag tat gg #a gtt act cag gcc ttc      263 Pro Gly Asp Gln Ile Leu Asp Trp Gln Tyr Gl #y Val Thr Gln Ala Phe             35       #            40       #            45 cct cac aca gag gag gag gtg gaa gtt gat tc #a cac gcg tac agc cac      311 Pro His Thr Glu Glu Glu Val Glu Val Asp Se #r His Ala Tyr Ser His         50           #        55           #        60 agg tgg aaa aga aac ttg gac ttt ctc aag gc #g gta gac acg aac cga      359 Arg Trp Lys Arg Asn Leu Asp Phe Leu Lys Al #a Val Asp Thr Asn Arg     65               #    70               #    75 gca agc gtc ggc caa gac tct cct gag ccc ag #a agc ttc aca gac ctg      407 Ala Ser Val Gly Gln Asp Ser Pro Glu Pro Ar #g Ser Phe Thr Asp Leu 80                   #85                   #90                   #95 ctg ctg gat gat ggg cag gac aat aac act ca #g atc gag gag gat aca      455 Leu Leu Asp Asp Gly Gln Asp Asn Asn Thr Gl #n Ile Glu Glu Asp Thr                 100   #               105   #               110 gac cac aat tac tat ata tct cga ata tat gg #t cca tct gat tct gcc      503 Asp His Asn Tyr Tyr Ile Ser Arg Ile Tyr Gl #y Pro Ser Asp Ser Ala             115       #           120       #           125 agc cgg gat tta tgg gtg aac ata gac caa at #g gaa aaa gat aaa gtg      551 Ser Arg Asp Leu Trp Val Asn Ile Asp Gln Me #t Glu Lys Asp Lys Val         130           #       135           #       140 aag att cat gga ata ttg tcc aat act cat cg #g caa gct gca aga gtg      599 Lys Ile His Gly Ile Leu Ser Asn Thr His Ar #g Gln Ala Ala Arg Val     145               #   150               #   155 aat ctg tcc ttc gat ttt cca ttt tat ggc ca #c ttc cta cgt gaa atc      647 Asn Leu Ser Phe Asp Phe Pro Phe Tyr Gly Hi #s Phe Leu Arg Glu Ile 160                 1 #65                 1 #70                 1 #75 act gtg gca acc ggg ggt ttc ata tac act gg #a gaa gtc gta cat cga      695 Thr Val Ala Thr Gly Gly Phe Ile Tyr Thr Gl #y Glu Val Val His Arg                 180   #               185   #               190 atg cta aca gcc aca cag tac ata gca cct tt #a atg gca aat ttc gat      743 Met Leu Thr Ala Thr Gln Tyr Ile Ala Pro Le #u Met Ala Asn Phe Asp             195       #           200       #           205 ccc agt gta tcc aga aat tca act gtc aga ta #t ttt gat aat ggc aca      791 Pro Ser Val Ser Arg Asn Ser Thr Val Arg Ty #r Phe Asp Asn Gly Thr         210           #       215           #       220 gca ctt gtg gtc cag tgg gac cat gta cat ct #c cag gat aat tat aac      839 Ala Leu Val Val Gln Trp Asp His Val His Le #u Gln Asp Asn Tyr Asn     225               #   230               #   235 ctg gga agc ttc aca ttc cag gca acc ctg ct #c atg gat gga cga atc      887 Leu Gly Ser Phe Thr Phe Gln Ala Thr Leu Le #u Met Asp Gly Arg Ile 240                 2 #45                 2 #50                 2 #55 atc ttt gga tac aaa gaa att cct gtc ttg gt #c aca cag ata agt tca      935 Ile Phe Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ile Pro Val Leu Va #l Thr Gln Ile Ser Ser                 260   #               265   #               270 acc aat cat cca gtg aaa gtc gga ctg tcc ga #t gca ttt gtc gtt gtc      983 Thr Asn His Pro Val Lys Val Gly Leu Ser As #p Ala Phe Val Val Val             275       #           280       #           285 cac agg atc caa caa att ccc aat gtt cga ag #a aga aca att tat gaa     1031 His Arg Ile Gln Gln Ile Pro Asn Val Arg Ar #g Arg Thr Ile Tyr Glu         290           #       295           #       300 tac cac cga gta gag cta caa atg tca aaa at #t acc aac att tcg gct     1079 Tyr His Arg Val Glu Leu Gln Met Ser Lys Il #e Thr Asn Ile Ser Ala     305               #   310               #   315 gtg gag atg acc cca tta ccc aca tgc ctc ca #g ttt aac aga tgt ggc     1127 Val Glu Met Thr Pro Leu Pro Thr Cys Leu Gl #n Phe Asn Arg Cys Gly 320                 3 #25                 3 #30                 3 #35 ccc tgt gta tct tct cag att ggc ttc aac tg #c agt tgg tgt agt aaa     1175 Pro Cys Val Ser Ser Gln Ile Gly Phe Asn Cy #s Ser Trp Cys Ser Lys                 340   #               345   #               350 ctt caa aga tgt tcc agt gga ttt gat cgt ca #t cgg cag gac tgg gtg     1223 Leu Gln Arg Cys Ser Ser Gly Phe Asp Arg Hi #s Arg Gln Asp Trp Val             355       #           360       #           365 gac agt gga tgc cct gaa gag tca aaa gag aa #g atg tgt gag aat aca     1271 Asp Ser Gly Cys Pro Glu Glu Ser Lys Glu Ly #s Met Cys Glu Asn Thr         370           #       375           #       380 gaa cca gtg gaa act tct tct cga acc acc ac #a acc ata gga gcg aca     1319 Glu Pro Val Glu Thr Ser Ser Arg Thr Thr Th #r Thr Ile Gly Ala Thr     385               #   390               #   395 acc acc cag ttc agg gtc cta act acc acc ag #a aga gca gtg act tct     1367 Thr Thr Gln Phe Arg Val Leu Thr Thr Thr Ar #g Arg Ala Val Thr Ser 400                 4 #05                 4 #10                 4 #15 cag ttt ccc acc agc ctc cct aca gaa gat ga #t acc aag ata gca cta     1415 Gln Phe Pro Thr Ser Leu Pro Thr Glu Asp As #p Thr Lys Ile Ala Leu                 420   #               425   #               430 cat cta aaa gat aat gga gct tct aca gat ga #c agt gca gct gag aag     1463 His Leu Lys Asp Asn Gly Ala Ser Thr Asp As #p Ser Ala Ala Glu Lys             435       #           440       #           445 aaa ggg gga acc ctc cac gct ggc ctc atc gt #t gga atc ctc atc ctg     1511 Lys Gly Gly Thr Leu His Ala Gly Leu Ile Va #l Gly Ile Leu Ile Leu         450           #       455           #       460 gtc ctc att gta gcc aca gcc att ctt gtg ac #a gtc tat atg tat cac     1559 Val Leu Ile Val Ala Thr Ala Ile Leu Val Th #r Val Tyr Met Tyr His     465               #   470               #   475 cac cca aca tca gca gcc agc atc ttc ttt at #t gag aga cgc cca agc     1607 His Pro Thr Ser Ala Ala Ser Ile Phe Phe Il #e Glu Arg Arg Pro Ser 480                 4 #85                 4 #90                 4 #95 aga tgg cct gcg atg aag ttt aga aga ggc tc #t gga cat cct gcc tat     1655 Arg Trp Pro Ala Met Lys Phe Arg Arg Gly Se #r Gly His Pro Ala Tyr                 500   #               505   #               510 gct gaa gtt gaa cca gtt gga gag aaa gaa gg #c ttt att gta tca gag     1703 Ala Glu Val Glu Pro Val Gly Glu Lys Glu Gl #y Phe Ile Val Ser Glu             515       #           520       #           525 cag tgc taa aatttctagg acagaacaac accagtactg gtttacagg #t             1752 Gln Cys gttaagacta aaattttgcc tataccttta agacaaacaa acaaacacac ac #acaaacaa   1812 gctctaagct gctgtagcct gaagaagaca agatttctgg acaagctcag cc #caggaaac   1872 aaagggtaaa caaaaaacta aaacttatac aagataccat ttacactgaa ca #tagaattc   1932 cctagtggaa tgtcatctat agttcactcg gaacatctcc cgtggactta tc #tgaagtat   1992 gacaagatta taatgctttt ggcttaggtg cagggttgca aagggatcag aa #aaaaaaaa   2052 tcataataaa gctttagttc atgagggatc gacacctttg gttcaaatgt tc #tctgatgt   2112 ctcaaagata actgttttcc aaagcctgaa ccctttcact caaaagagca at #gatgaatg   2172 tctcaagatt gctaagaaaa acagcccatg caagagtgag aacaaacaca aa #ataagaga   2232 ttttctacat tttcaaaaca gatgtgtggc aaaaggatgt tgtttttctg gt #ctagatcc   2292 atctgtacca acaagttcat cactttacag aacgaatctt tttatccgta ca #ggaggttc   2352 aaaccatgtc tgcctcttcc tttgtaatga atgacctttc tatgagctgt ga #caaaattt   2412 ccgaacaatt agctaaggat ttgggaagag ggggtggcaa acggggcttt ct #gttttcct   2472 gcctcagcat gaaaacatct gatttatgct ttatggaagc cttacctcca at #ccccaact   2532 gttaagtccc atgaaaccac agttgctctg ggctgatgga aacaaaagga aa #cagtatga   2592 agagttcctt aatcattttt gaaacaaaaa tgttaaggga ttttaaacat at #gattattt   2652 ttaattttat gccttttcag tactaaacac ccatttcatt gctgattcct gt #ctaagaag   2712 ccattcacgt cagcatggcg atagaaagaa tgaaaaaacc ctgctgaatc at #acagtaat   2772 tttctttaaa gcacatagta gttacataaa tatatatata taaatatatt tt #tgtttata   2832 actaacacaa ggcaggatct tgtgactcta agagtgcgtt ttgtcatcaa ga #caaaacag   2892 atgcaagatg catcactgca ttacttccat agagttgtaa aataatcctt aa #tattagaa   2952 tatttttctg tcacttagca aaagtggttc agttcattgc cgcgcccatc at #gttcttga   3012 ctatttgatc cactttttcg tttatgtcaa ccccttccct ctctggctaa at #aaagtgga   3072 tgcagaaagc tccttaaatg gaa            #                   #              3095 <210> SEQ ID NO 28 <211> LENGTH: 529 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 28 Met Ala Arg Phe Pro Lys Ala Asp Leu Ala Al #a Ala Gly Val Met Leu 1               5    #                10   #                15 Leu Cys His Phe Phe Thr Asp Gln Phe Gln Ph #e Ala Asp Gly Lys Pro             20       #            25       #            30 Gly Asp Gln Ile Leu Asp Trp Gln Tyr Gly Va #l Thr Gln Ala Phe Pro         35           #        40           #        45 His Thr Glu Glu Glu Val Glu Val Asp Ser Hi #s Ala Tyr Ser His Arg     50               #    55               #    60 Trp Lys Arg Asn Leu Asp Phe Leu Lys Ala Va #l Asp Thr Asn Arg Ala 65                   #70                   #75                   #80 Ser Val Gly Gln Asp Ser Pro Glu Pro Arg Se #r Phe Thr Asp Leu Leu                 85   #                90   #                95 Leu Asp Asp Gly Gln Asp Asn Asn Thr Gln Il #e Glu Glu Asp Thr Asp             100       #           105       #           110 His Asn Tyr Tyr Ile Ser Arg Ile Tyr Gly Pr #o Ser Asp Ser Ala Ser         115           #       120           #       125 Arg Asp Leu Trp Val Asn Ile Asp Gln Met Gl #u Lys Asp Lys Val Lys     130               #   135               #   140 Ile His Gly Ile Leu Ser Asn Thr His Arg Gl #n Ala Ala Arg Val Asn 145                 1 #50                 1 #55                 1 #60 Leu Ser Phe Asp Phe Pro Phe Tyr Gly His Ph #e Leu Arg Glu Ile Thr                 165   #               170   #               175 Val Ala Thr Gly Gly Phe Ile Tyr Thr Gly Gl #u Val Val His Arg Met             180       #           185       #           190 Leu Thr Ala Thr Gln Tyr Ile Ala Pro Leu Me #t Ala Asn Phe Asp Pro         195           #       200           #       205 Ser Val Ser Arg Asn Ser Thr Val Arg Tyr Ph #e Asp Asn Gly Thr Ala     210               #   215               #   220 Leu Val Val Gln Trp Asp His Val His Leu Gl #n Asp Asn Tyr Asn Leu 225                 2 #30                 2 #35                 2 #40 Gly Ser Phe Thr Phe Gln Ala Thr Leu Leu Me #t Asp Gly Arg Ile Ile                 245   #               250   #               255 Phe Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ile Pro Val Leu Val Th #r Gln Ile Ser Ser Thr             260       #           265       #           270 Asn His Pro Val Lys Val Gly Leu Ser Asp Al #a Phe Val Val Val His         275           #       280           #       285 Arg Ile Gln Gln Ile Pro Asn Val Arg Arg Ar #g Thr Ile Tyr Glu Tyr     290               #   295               #   300 His Arg Val Glu Leu Gln Met Ser Lys Ile Th #r Asn Ile Ser Ala Val 305                 3 #10                 3 #15                 3 #20 Glu Met Thr Pro Leu Pro Thr Cys Leu Gln Ph #e Asn Arg Cys Gly Pro                 325   #               330   #               335 Cys Val Ser Ser Gln Ile Gly Phe Asn Cys Se #r Trp Cys Ser Lys Leu             340       #           345       #           350 Gln Arg Cys Ser Ser Gly Phe Asp Arg His Ar #g Gln Asp Trp Val Asp         355           #       360           #       365 Ser Gly Cys Pro Glu Glu Ser Lys Glu Lys Me #t Cys Glu Asn Thr Glu     370               #   375               #   380 Pro Val Glu Thr Ser Ser Arg Thr Thr Thr Th #r Ile Gly Ala Thr Thr 385                 3 #90                 3 #95                 4 #00 Thr Gln Phe Arg Val Leu Thr Thr Thr Arg Ar #g Ala Val Thr Ser Gln                 405   #               410   #               415 Phe Pro Thr Ser Leu Pro Thr Glu Asp Asp Th #r Lys Ile Ala Leu His             420       #           425       #           430 Leu Lys Asp Asn Gly Ala Ser Thr Asp Asp Se #r Ala Ala Glu Lys Lys         435           #       440           #       445 Gly Gly Thr Leu His Ala Gly Leu Ile Val Gl #y Ile Leu Ile Leu Val     450               #   455               #   460 Leu Ile Val Ala Thr Ala Ile Leu Val Thr Va #l Tyr Met Tyr His His 465                 4 #70                 4 #75                 4 #80 Pro Thr Ser Ala Ala Ser Ile Phe Phe Ile Gl #u Arg Arg Pro Ser Arg                 485   #               490   #               495 Trp Pro Ala Met Lys Phe Arg Arg Gly Ser Gl #y His Pro Ala Tyr Ala             500       #           505       #           510 Glu Val Glu Pro Val Gly Glu Lys Glu Gly Ph #e Ile Val Ser Glu Gln         515           #       520           #       525 Cys <210> SEQ ID NO 29 <211> LENGTH: 1590 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 29 atggcgaggt tcccgaaggc cgacctggcc gctgcaggag ttatgttact tt #gccacttc     60 ttcacggacc agtttcagtt cgccgatggg aaacccggag accaaatcct tg #attggcag    120 tatggagtta ctcaggcctt ccctcacaca gaggaggagg tggaagttga tt #cacacgcg    180 tacagccaca ggtggaaaag aaacttggac tttctcaagg cggtagacac ga #accgagca    240 agcgtcggcc aagactctcc tgagcccaga agcttcacag acctgctgct gg #atgatggg    300 caggacaata acactcagat cgaggaggat acagaccaca attactatat at #ctcgaata    360 tatggtccat ctgattctgc cagccgggat ttatgggtga acatagacca aa #tggaaaaa    420 gataaagtga agattcatgg aatattgtcc aatactcatc ggcaagctgc aa #gagtgaat    480 ctgtccttcg attttccatt ttatggccac ttcctacgtg aaatcactgt gg #caaccggg    540 ggtttcatat acactggaga agtcgtacat cgaatgctaa cagccacaca gt #acatagca    600 cctttaatgg caaatttcga tcccagtgta tccagaaatt caactgtcag at #attttgat    660 aatggcacag cacttgtggt ccagtgggac catgtacatc tccaggataa tt #ataacctg    720 ggaagcttca cattccaggc aaccctgctc atggatggac gaatcatctt tg #gatacaaa    780 gaaattcctg tcttggtcac acagataagt tcaaccaatc atccagtgaa ag #tcggactg    840 tccgatgcat ttgtcgttgt ccacaggatc caacaaattc ccaatgttcg aa #gaagaaca    900 atttatgaat accaccgagt agagctacaa atgtcaaaaa ttaccaacat tt #cggctgtg    960 gagatgaccc cattacccac atgcctccag tttaacagat gtggcccctg tg #tatcttct   1020 cagattggct tcaactgcag ttggtgtagt aaacttcaaa gatgttccag tg #gatttgat   1080 cgtcatcggc aggactgggt ggacagtgga tgccctgaag agtcaaaaga ga #agatgtgt   1140 gagaatacag aaccagtgga aacttcttct cgaaccacca caaccatagg ag #cgacaacc   1200 acccagttca gggtcctaac taccaccaga agagcagtga cttctcagtt tc #ccaccagc   1260 ctccctacag aagatgatac caagatagca ctacatctaa aagataatgg ag #cttctaca   1320 gatgacagtg cagctgagaa gaaaggggga accctccacg ctggcctcat cg #ttggaatc   1380 ctcatcctgg tcctcattgt agccacagcc attcttgtga cagtctatat gt #atcaccac   1440 ccaacatcag cagccagcat cttctttatt gagagacgcc caagcagatg gc #ctgcgatg   1500 aagtttagaa gaggctctgg acatcctgcc tatgctgaag ttgaaccagt tg #gagagaaa   1560 gaaggcttta ttgtatcaga gcagtgctaa          #                   #         1590 <210> SEQ ID NO 30 <211> LENGTH: 30 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 30 Met Ala Arg Phe Pro Lys Ala Asp Leu Ala Al #a Ala Gly Val Met Leu 1               5    #                10   #                15 Leu Cys His Phe Phe Thr Asp Gln Phe Gln Ph #e Ala Asp Gly             20       #            25       #            30 <210> SEQ ID NO 31 <211> LENGTH: 499 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 31 Lys Pro Gly Asp Gln Ile Leu Asp Trp Gln Ty #r Gly Val Thr Gln Ala 1               5    #                10   #                15 Phe Pro His Thr Glu Glu Glu Val Glu Val As #p Ser His Ala Tyr Ser             20       #            25       #            30 His Arg Trp Lys Arg Asn Leu Asp Phe Leu Ly #s Ala Val Asp Thr Asn         35           #        40           #        45 Arg Ala Ser Val Gly Gln Asp Ser Pro Glu Pr #o Arg Ser Phe Thr Asp     50               #    55               #    60 Leu Leu Leu Asp Asp Gly Gln Asp Asn Asn Th #r Gln Ile Glu Glu Asp 65                   #70                   #75                   #80 Thr Asp His Asn Tyr Tyr Ile Ser Arg Ile Ty #r Gly Pro Ser Asp Ser                 85   #                90   #                95 Ala Ser Arg Asp Leu Trp Val Asn Ile Asp Gl #n Met Glu Lys Asp Lys             100       #           105       #           110 Val Lys Ile His Gly Ile Leu Ser Asn Thr Hi #s Arg Gln Ala Ala Arg         115           #       120           #       125 Val Asn Leu Ser Phe Asp Phe Pro Phe Tyr Gl #y His Phe Leu Arg Glu     130               #   135               #   140 Ile Thr Val Ala Thr Gly Gly Phe Ile Tyr Th #r Gly Glu Val Val His 145                 1 #50                 1 #55                 1 #60 Arg Met Leu Thr Ala Thr Gln Tyr Ile Ala Pr #o Leu Met Ala Asn Phe                 165   #               170   #               175 Asp Pro Ser Val Ser Arg Asn Ser Thr Val Ar #g Tyr Phe Asp Asn Gly             180       #           185       #           190 Thr Ala Leu Val Val Gln Trp Asp His Val Hi #s Leu Gln Asp Asn Tyr         195           #       200           #       205 Asn Leu Gly Ser Phe Thr Phe Gln Ala Thr Le #u Leu Met Asp Gly Arg     210               #   215               #   220 Ile Ile Phe Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ile Pro Val Le #u Val Thr Gln Ile Ser 225                 2 #30                 2 #35                 2 #40 Ser Thr Asn His Pro Val Lys Val Gly Leu Se #r Asp Ala Phe Val Val                 245   #               250   #               255 Val His Arg Ile Gln Gln Ile Pro Asn Val Ar #g Arg Arg Thr Ile Tyr             260       #           265       #           270 Glu Tyr His Arg Val Glu Leu Gln Met Ser Ly #s Ile Thr Asn Ile Ser         275           #       280           #       285 Ala Val Glu Met Thr Pro Leu Pro Thr Cys Le #u Gln Phe Asn Arg Cys     290               #   295               #   300 Gly Pro Cys Val Ser Ser Gln Ile Gly Phe As #n Cys Ser Trp Cys Ser 305                 3 #10                 3 #15                 3 #20 Lys Leu Gln Arg Cys Ser Ser Gly Phe Asp Ar #g His Arg Gln Asp Trp                 325   #               330   #               335 Val Asp Ser Gly Cys Pro Glu Glu Ser Lys Gl #u Lys Met Cys Glu Asn             340       #           345       #           350 Thr Glu Pro Val Glu Thr Ser Ser Arg Thr Th #r Thr Thr Ile Gly Ala         355           #       360           #       365 Thr Thr Thr Gln Phe Arg Val Leu Thr Thr Th #r Arg Arg Ala Val Thr     370               #   375               #   380 Ser Gln Phe Pro Thr Ser Leu Pro Thr Glu As #p Asp Thr Lys Ile Ala 385                 3 #90                 3 #95                 4 #00 Leu His Leu Lys Asp Asn Gly Ala Ser Thr As #p Asp Ser Ala Ala Glu                 405   #               410   #               415 Lys Lys Gly Gly Thr Leu His Ala Gly Leu Il #e Val Gly Ile Leu Ile             420       #           425       #           430 Leu Val Leu Ile Val Ala Thr Ala Ile Leu Va #l Thr Val Tyr Met Tyr         435           #       440           #       445 His His Pro Thr Ser Ala Ala Ser Ile Phe Ph #e Ile Glu Arg Arg Pro     450               #   455               #   460 Ser Arg Trp Pro Ala Met Lys Phe Arg Arg Gl #y Ser Gly His Pro Ala 465                 4 #70                 4 #75                 4 #80 Tyr Ala Glu Val Glu Pro Val Gly Glu Lys Gl #u Gly Phe Ile Val Ser                 485   #               490   #               495 Glu Gln Cys <210> SEQ ID NO 32 <211> LENGTH: 28 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 32 Leu His Ala Gly Leu Ile Val Gly Ile Leu Il #e Leu Val Leu Ile Val 1               5    #                10   #                15 Ala Thr Ala Ile Leu Val Thr Val Tyr Met Ty #r His             20       #            25 <210> SEQ ID NO 33 <211> LENGTH: 1351 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (5)..(1351) <400> SEQUENCE: 33 cggc atg gcg agg ttc ccg aag gcc gac ctg g #cc gct gca gga gtt atg      49      Met Ala Arg Phe Pro Lys Ala Asp # Leu Ala Ala Ala Gly Val Met      1              #  5                 #   10                #   15 tta ctt tgc cac ttc ttc acg gac cag ttt ca #g ttc gcc gat ggg aaa       97 Leu Leu Cys His Phe Phe Thr Asp Gln Phe Gl #n Phe Ala Asp Gly Lys                 20   #                25   #                30 ccc gga gac caa atc ctt gat tgg cag tat gg #a gtt act cag gcc ttc      145 Pro Gly Asp Gln Ile Leu Asp Trp Gln Tyr Gl #y Val Thr Gln Ala Phe             35       #            40       #            45 cct cac aca gag gag gag gtg gaa gtt gat tc #a cac gcg tac agc cac      193 Pro His Thr Glu Glu Glu Val Glu Val Asp Se #r His Ala Tyr Ser His         50           #        55           #        60 agg tgg aaa aga aac ttg gac ttt ctc aag gc #g gta gac acg aac cga      241 Arg Trp Lys Arg Asn Leu Asp Phe Leu Lys Al #a Val Asp Thr Asn Arg     65               #    70               #    75 gca agc gtc ggc caa gac tct cct gag ccc ag #a agc ttc aca gac ctg      289 Ala Ser Val Gly Gln Asp Ser Pro Glu Pro Ar #g Ser Phe Thr Asp Leu 80                   #85                   #90                   #95 ctg ctg gat gat ggg cag gac aat aac act ca #g atc gag gag gat aca      337 Leu Leu Asp Asp Gly Gln Asp Asn Asn Thr Gl #n Ile Glu Glu Asp Thr                 100   #               105   #               110 gac cac aat tac tat ata tct cga ata tat gg #t cca tct gat tct gcc      385 Asp His Asn Tyr Tyr Ile Ser Arg Ile Tyr Gl #y Pro Ser Asp Ser Ala             115       #           120       #           125 agc cgg gat tta tgg gtg aac ata gac caa at #g gaa aaa gat aaa gtg      433 Ser Arg Asp Leu Trp Val Asn Ile Asp Gln Me #t Glu Lys Asp Lys Val         130           #       135           #       140 aag att cat gga ata ttg tcc aat act cat cg #g caa gct gca aga gtg      481 Lys Ile His Gly Ile Leu Ser Asn Thr His Ar #g Gln Ala Ala Arg Val     145               #   150               #   155 aat ctg tcc ttc gat ttt cca ttt tat ggc ca #c ttc cta cgt gaa atc      529 Asn Leu Ser Phe Asp Phe Pro Phe Tyr Gly Hi #s Phe Leu Arg Glu Ile 160                 1 #65                 1 #70                 1 #75 act gtg gca acc ggg ggt ttc ata tac act gg #a gaa gtc gta cat cga      577 Thr Val Ala Thr Gly Gly Phe Ile Tyr Thr Gl #y Glu Val Val His Arg                 180   #               185   #               190 atg cta aca gcc aca cag tac ata gca cct tt #a atg gca aat ttc gat      625 Met Leu Thr Ala Thr Gln Tyr Ile Ala Pro Le #u Met Ala Asn Phe Asp             195       #           200       #           205 ccc agt gta tcc aga aat tca act gtc aga ta #t ttt gat aat ggc aca      673 Pro Ser Val Ser Arg Asn Ser Thr Val Arg Ty #r Phe Asp Asn Gly Thr         210           #       215           #       220 gca ctt gtg gtc cag tgg gac cat gta cat ct #c cag gat aat tat aac      721 Ala Leu Val Val Gln Trp Asp His Val His Le #u Gln Asp Asn Tyr Asn     225               #   230               #   235 ctg gga agc ttc aca ttc cag gca acc ctg ct #c atg gat gga cga atc      769 Leu Gly Ser Phe Thr Phe Gln Ala Thr Leu Le #u Met Asp Gly Arg Ile 240                 2 #45                 2 #50                 2 #55 atc ttt gga tac aaa gaa att cct gtc ttg gt #c aca cag ata agt tca      817 Ile Phe Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ile Pro Val Leu Va #l Thr Gln Ile Ser Ser                 260   #               265   #               270 acc aat cat cca gtg aaa gtc gga ctg tcc ga #t gca ttt gtc gtt gtc      865 Thr Asn His Pro Val Lys Val Gly Leu Ser As #p Ala Phe Val Val Val             275       #           280       #           285 cac agg atc caa caa att ccc aat gtt cga ag #a aga aca att tat gaa      913 His Arg Ile Gln Gln Ile Pro Asn Val Arg Ar #g Arg Thr Ile Tyr Glu         290           #       295           #       300 tac cac cga gta gag cta caa atg tca aaa at #t acc aac att tcg gct      961 Tyr His Arg Val Glu Leu Gln Met Ser Lys Il #e Thr Asn Ile Ser Ala     305               #   310               #   315 gtg gag atg acc cca tta ccc aca tgc ctc ca #g ttt aac aga tgt ggc     1009 Val Glu Met Thr Pro Leu Pro Thr Cys Leu Gl #n Phe Asn Arg Cys Gly 320                 3 #25                 3 #30                 3 #35 ccc tgt gta tct tct cag att ggc ttc aac tg #c agt tgg tgt agt aaa     1057 Pro Cys Val Ser Ser Gln Ile Gly Phe Asn Cy #s Ser Trp Cys Ser Lys                 340   #               345   #               350 ctt caa aga tgt tcc agt gga ttt gat cgt ca #t cgg cag gac tgg gtg     1105 Leu Gln Arg Cys Ser Ser Gly Phe Asp Arg Hi #s Arg Gln Asp Trp Val             355       #           360       #           365 gac agt gga tgc cct gaa gag tca aaa gag aa #g atg tgt gag aat aca     1153 Asp Ser Gly Cys Pro Glu Glu Ser Lys Glu Ly #s Met Cys Glu Asn Thr         370           #       375           #       380 gaa cca gtg gaa act tct tct cga acc acc ac #a acc ata gga gcg aca     1201 Glu Pro Val Glu Thr Ser Ser Arg Thr Thr Th #r Thr Ile Gly Ala Thr     385               #   390               #   395 acc acc cag ttc agg gtc cta act acc acc ag #a aga gca gtg act tct     1249 Thr Thr Gln Phe Arg Val Leu Thr Thr Thr Ar #g Arg Ala Val Thr Ser 400                 4 #05                 4 #10                 4 #15 cag ttt ccc acc agc ctc cct aca gaa gat ga #t acc aag ata gca cta     1297 Gln Phe Pro Thr Ser Leu Pro Thr Glu Asp As #p Thr Lys Ile Ala Leu                 420   #               425   #               430 cat cta aaa gat aat gga gct tct aca gat ga #c agt gca gct gag aag     1345 His Leu Lys Asp Asn Gly Ala Ser Thr Asp As #p Ser Ala Ala Glu Lys             435       #           440       #           445 aaa ggg                 #                   #                   #         1351 Lys Gly <210> SEQ ID NO 34 <211> LENGTH: 449 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 34 Met Ala Arg Phe Pro Lys Ala Asp Leu Ala Al #a Ala Gly Val Met Leu 1               5    #                10   #                15 Leu Cys His Phe Phe Thr Asp Gln Phe Gln Ph #e Ala Asp Gly Lys Pro             20       #            25       #            30 Gly Asp Gln Ile Leu Asp Trp Gln Tyr Gly Va #l Thr Gln Ala Phe Pro         35           #        40           #        45 His Thr Glu Glu Glu Val Glu Val Asp Ser Hi #s Ala Tyr Ser His Arg     50               #    55               #    60 Trp Lys Arg Asn Leu Asp Phe Leu Lys Ala Va #l Asp Thr Asn Arg Ala 65                   #70                   #75                   #80 Ser Val Gly Gln Asp Ser Pro Glu Pro Arg Se #r Phe Thr Asp Leu Leu                 85   #                90   #                95 Leu Asp Asp Gly Gln Asp Asn Asn Thr Gln Il #e Glu Glu Asp Thr Asp             100       #           105       #           110 His Asn Tyr Tyr Ile Ser Arg Ile Tyr Gly Pr #o Ser Asp Ser Ala Ser         115           #       120           #       125 Arg Asp Leu Trp Val Asn Ile Asp Gln Met Gl #u Lys Asp Lys Val Lys     130               #   135               #   140 Ile His Gly Ile Leu Ser Asn Thr His Arg Gl #n Ala Ala Arg Val Asn 145                 1 #50                 1 #55                 1 #60 Leu Ser Phe Asp Phe Pro Phe Tyr Gly His Ph #e Leu Arg Glu Ile Thr                 165   #               170   #               175 Val Ala Thr Gly Gly Phe Ile Tyr Thr Gly Gl #u Val Val His Arg Met             180       #           185       #           190 Leu Thr Ala Thr Gln Tyr Ile Ala Pro Leu Me #t Ala Asn Phe Asp Pro         195           #       200           #       205 Ser Val Ser Arg Asn Ser Thr Val Arg Tyr Ph #e Asp Asn Gly Thr Ala     210               #   215               #   220 Leu Val Val Gln Trp Asp His Val His Leu Gl #n Asp Asn Tyr Asn Leu 225                 2 #30                 2 #35                 2 #40 Gly Ser Phe Thr Phe Gln Ala Thr Leu Leu Me #t Asp Gly Arg Ile Ile                 245   #               250   #               255 Phe Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ile Pro Val Leu Val Th #r Gln Ile Ser Ser Thr             260       #           265       #           270 Asn His Pro Val Lys Val Gly Leu Ser Asp Al #a Phe Val Val Val His         275           #       280           #       285 Arg Ile Gln Gln Ile Pro Asn Val Arg Arg Ar #g Thr Ile Tyr Glu Tyr     290               #   295               #   300 His Arg Val Glu Leu Gln Met Ser Lys Ile Th #r Asn Ile Ser Ala Val 305                 3 #10                 3 #15                 3 #20 Glu Met Thr Pro Leu Pro Thr Cys Leu Gln Ph #e Asn Arg Cys Gly Pro                 325   #               330   #               335 Cys Val Ser Ser Gln Ile Gly Phe Asn Cys Se #r Trp Cys Ser Lys Leu             340       #           345       #           350 Gln Arg Cys Ser Ser Gly Phe Asp Arg His Ar #g Gln Asp Trp Val Asp         355           #       360           #       365 Ser Gly Cys Pro Glu Glu Ser Lys Glu Lys Me #t Cys Glu Asn Thr Glu     370               #   375               #   380 Pro Val Glu Thr Ser Ser Arg Thr Thr Thr Th #r Ile Gly Ala Thr Thr 385                 3 #90                 3 #95                 4 #00 Thr Gln Phe Arg Val Leu Thr Thr Thr Arg Ar #g Ala Val Thr Ser Gln                 405   #               410   #               415 Phe Pro Thr Ser Leu Pro Thr Glu Asp Asp Th #r Lys Ile Ala Leu His             420       #           425       #           430 Leu Lys Asp Asn Gly Ala Ser Thr Asp Asp Se #r Ala Ala Glu Lys Lys         435           #       440           #       445 Gly <210> SEQ ID NO 35 <211> LENGTH: 425 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 35 Pro Arg Val Arg Pro Arg Val Arg Thr Asp Hi #s Asn Tyr Tyr Ile Ser 1               5    #                10   #                15 Arg Ile Tyr Gly Pro Ser Asp Ser Ala Ser Ar #g Asp Leu Trp Val Asn             20       #            25       #            30 Ile Asp Gln Met Glu Lys Asp Lys Val Lys Il #e His Gly Ile Leu Ser         35           #        40           #        45 Asn Thr His Arg Gln Ala Ala Arg Val Asn Le #u Ser Phe Asp Phe Pro     50               #    55               #    60 Phe Tyr Gly His Phe Leu Arg Glu Ile Thr Va #l Ala Thr Gly Gly Phe 65                   #70                   #75                   #80 Ile Tyr Thr Gly Glu Val Val His Arg Met Le #u Thr Ala Thr Gln Tyr                 85   #                90   #                95 Ile Ala Pro Leu Met Ala Asn Phe Asp Pro Se #r Val Ser Arg Asn Ser             100       #           105       #           110 Thr Val Arg Tyr Phe Asp Asn Gly Thr Ala Le #u Val Val Gln Trp Asp         115           #       120           #       125 His Val His Leu Gln Asp Asn Tyr Asn Leu Gl #y Ser Phe Thr Phe Gln     130               #   135               #   140 Ala Thr Leu Leu Met Asp Gly Arg Ile Ile Ph #e Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ile 145                 1 #50                 1 #55                 1 #60 Pro Val Leu Val Thr Gln Ile Ser Ser Thr As #n His Pro Val Lys Val                 165   #               170   #               175 Gly Leu Ser Asp Ala Phe Val Val Val His Ar #g Ile Gln Gln Ile Pro             180       #           185       #           190 Asn Val Arg Arg Arg Thr Ile Tyr Glu Tyr Hi #s Arg Val Glu Leu Gln         195           #       200           #       205 Met Ser Lys Ile Thr Asn Ile Ser Ala Val Gl #u Met Thr Pro Leu Pro     210               #   215               #   220 Thr Cys Leu Gln Phe Asn Arg Cys Gly Pro Cy #s Val Ser Ser Gln Ile 225                 2 #30                 2 #35                 2 #40 Gly Phe Asn Cys Ser Trp Cys Ser Lys Leu Gl #n Arg Cys Ser Ser Gly                 245   #               250   #               255 Phe Asp Arg His Arg Gln Asp Trp Val Asp Se #r Gly Cys Pro Glu Glu             260       #           265       #           270 Ser Lys Glu Lys Met Cys Glu Asn Thr Glu Pr #o Val Glu Thr Phe Leu         275           #       280           #       285 Glu Pro Pro Gln Pro Glu Arg Gln Pro Pro Se #r Ser Gly Ser Leu Pro     290               #   295               #   300 Pro Glu Asp Ala Val Thr Ser Gln Phe Pro Th #r Ser Leu Pro Thr Glu 305                 3 #10                 3 #15                 3 #20 Asp Asp Thr Lys Ile Ala Leu His Leu Lys As #p Asn Gly Ala Ser Thr                 325   #               330   #               335 Asp Asp Ser Ala Ala Glu Lys Lys Gly Gly Th #r Leu His Ala Gly Leu             340       #           345       #           350 Ile Val Gly Ile Leu Ile Leu Val Leu Ile Va #l Ala Thr Ala Ile Leu         355           #       360           #       365 Val Thr Val Tyr Met Tyr His His Pro Thr Se #r Ala Ala Ser Ile Phe     370               #   375               #   380 Phe Ile Glu Arg Arg Pro Ser Arg Trp Pro Al #a Met Lys Phe Arg Arg 385                 3 #90                 3 #95                 4 #00 Gly Ser Gly His Pro Ala Tyr Ala Glu Val Gl #u Pro Val Gly Glu Lys                 405   #               410   #               415 Glu Gly Phe Ile Val Ser Glu Gln Cys             420       #           425 <210> SEQ ID NO 36 <211> LENGTH: 431 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 36 Leu Ala Met Asp Thr Leu Pro Asp Asn Arg Th #r Arg Val Val Glu Asp 1               5    #                10   #                15 Asn His Ser Tyr Tyr Val Ser Arg Leu Tyr Gl #y Pro Ser Glu Pro His             20       #            25       #            30 Ser Arg Glu Leu Trp Val Asp Val Ala Glu Al #a Asn Arg Ser Gln Val         35           #        40           #        45 Lys Ile His Thr Ile Leu Ser Asn Thr His Ar #g Gln Ala Ser Arg Val     50               #    55               #    60 Val Leu Ser Phe Asp Phe Pro Phe Tyr Gly Hi #s Pro Leu Arg Gln Ile 65                   #70                   #75                   #80 Thr Ile Ala Thr Gly Gly Phe Ile Phe Met Gl #y Asp Val Ile His Arg                 85   #                90   #                95 Met Leu Thr Ala Thr Gln Tyr Val Ala Pro Le #u Met Ala Asn Phe Asn             100       #           105       #           110 Pro Gly Tyr Ser Asp Asn Ser Thr Val Val Ty #r Phe Asp Asn Gly Thr         115           #       120           #       125 Val Phe Val Val Gln Trp Asp His Val Tyr Le #u Gln Gly Trp Glu Asp     130               #   135               #   140 Lys Gly Ser Phe Thr Phe Gln Ala Ala Leu Hi #s His Asp Gly Arg Ile 145                 1 #50                 1 #55                 1 #60 Val Phe Ala Tyr Lys Glu Ile Pro Met Ser Va #l Pro Glu Ile Ser Ser                 165   #               170   #               175 Ser Gln His Pro Val Lys Thr Gly Leu Ser As #p Ala Phe Met Ile Leu             180       #           185       #           190 Asn Pro Ser Pro Asp Val Pro Glu Ser Arg Ar #g Arg Ser Ile Phe Glu         195           #       200           #       205 Tyr His Arg Ile Glu Leu Asp Pro Ser Lys Va #l Thr Ser Met Ser Ala     210               #   215               #   220 Val Glu Phe Thr Pro Leu Pro Thr Cys Leu Gl #n His Arg Ser Cys Asp 225                 2 #30                 2 #35                 2 #40 Ala Cys Met Ser Ser Asp Leu Thr Phe Asn Cy #s Ser Trp Cys His Val                 245   #               250   #               255 Leu Gln Arg Cys Ser Ser Gly Phe Asp Arg Ty #r Arg Gln Glu Trp Asp             260       #           265       #           270 Gly Thr Met Gly Cys Ala Gln Glu Ala Glu Gl #y Gln Asp Val Arg Gly         275           #       280           #       285 Leu Pro Gly Met Arg Thr Thr Thr Ser Ala Se #r Pro Asp Thr Ser Phe     290               #   295               #   300 Ser Pro Tyr Asp Gly Asp Leu Thr Thr Thr Se #r Ser Ser Leu Phe Ile 305                 3 #10                 3 #15                 3 #20 Asp Ser Leu Thr Thr Glu Asp Asp Thr Lys Le #u Asn Pro Tyr Ala Gly                 325   #               330   #               335 Gly Asp Gly Leu Gln Asn Asn Leu Ser Pro Ly #s Thr Lys Gly Thr Pro             340       #           345       #           350 Val His Leu Gly Thr Ile Val Gly Ile Val Le #u Ala Val Leu Leu Val         355           #       360           #       365 Ala Ala Ile Ile Leu Ala Gly Ile Tyr Ile As #n Gly His Pro Thr Ser     370               #   375               #   380 Asn Ala Ala Leu Phe Phe Ile Glu Arg Arg Pr #o His His Trp Pro Ala 385                 3 #90                 3 #95                 4 #00 Met Lys Phe Arg Ser His Pro Asp His Ser Th #r Tyr Ala Glu Val Glu                 405   #               410   #               415 Pro Ser Gly His Glu Lys Glu Gly Phe Met Gl #u Ala Glu Gln Cys             420       #           425       #           430 <210> SEQ ID NO 37 <211> LENGTH: 2797 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Mouse <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (873)..(2465) <400> SEQUENCE: 37 gggagggttc agcggtagat ctagcaaatg gcaagccgcc ttccctcccc aa #agtgtaga     60 gctggagcgc gggggagcgc ggcggcgcct ccgccaccaa actcctgggg ct #ccgcggcg    120 ttcggagcca cctcctgcct agcccggagg ggctctctta ccaggctgca ac #ctcacttt    180 cccgtttttc tttttcttta aaaaacaccc ccacctctct tctgctcaca gc #agctggtg    240 cattcccggc tctactctcc ggagctgccc atccctccgg ctgcgggcga gg #acgcgcgc    300 tcagccttgg gcgaagcaaa gaagaaaaac ttgtcagagg ggtttctcca gc #ctccacta    360 acctccttct ctcgggaaca ccaaccaccc gccggggcca gacctaagtc tg #ggaaagtt    420 cctccggtgc tcagcgccct cttgaatctg gaacagcacc ggcgcagcca gt #ggaattag    480 atctgttttg aacccagtgg agcgcgtcgc gggcgctcgg aagtcaccgt ct #gtgggcgc    540 ccgggtggcg ctgcctgaga ggacccggga gtttgccgac cctactgcaa gt #gacctttc    600 ctcccctcac ttggttgatt gtgtctcagt tgggggctgc gagggtgaca ag #ttgcagtg    660 agagctcccg aagttcggag agggttcagc tgtctctcct tcacttctgt ta #cccggagt    720 gaaatcctag cgaaactgtc agaggcctcc ggatcccacc caagactcac ca #gcagagct    780 cggccgtgtc gccccatccc cagggataac cccggagccc agggtctcaa ga #aaaaattc    840 gttgggcagg ggagagaggt cgcggcagcg gc atg gca agg ttc # cgg agg gcc      893                    #                   #Met Ala Arg Phe Arg Arg Ala                    #                   #1               5 gac ctg gcc gca gca gga gtt atg tta ctt tg #t cac ttt tta aca gac      941 Asp Leu Ala Ala Ala Gly Val Met Leu Leu Cy #s His Phe Leu Thr Asp         10           #        15           #        20 cgg ttc cag ttc gcc cac ggg gag cct gga ca #c cat acc aat gat tgg      989 Arg Phe Gln Phe Ala His Gly Glu Pro Gly Hi #s His Thr Asn Asp Trp     25               #    30               #    35 att tat gaa gtt aca aac gct ttt cct tgg aa #t gaa gag ggg gta gaa     1037 Ile Tyr Glu Val Thr Asn Ala Phe Pro Trp As #n Glu Glu Gly Val Glu 40                   #45                   #50                   #55 gtg gac tct caa gca tac aac cac agg tgg aa #a aga aat gtg gac cct     1085 Val Asp Ser Gln Ala Tyr Asn His Arg Trp Ly #s Arg Asn Val Asp Pro                 60   #                65   #                70 ttt aag gca gta gac aca aac aga gcc agc at #g ggc caa gcc tct cca     1133 Phe Lys Ala Val Asp Thr Asn Arg Ala Ser Me #t Gly Gln Ala Ser Pro             75       #            80       #            85 gag tcc aaa ggg ttc act gac ctg cta ctg ga #t gac gga cag gac aat     1181 Glu Ser Lys Gly Phe Thr Asp Leu Leu Leu As #p Asp Gly Gln Asp Asn         90           #        95           #        100 aac acc cag ata gag gag gac acg gat cac aa #t tac tac att tct cgg     1229 Asn Thr Gln Ile Glu Glu Asp Thr Asp His As #n Tyr Tyr Ile Ser Arg     105               #   110               #   115 ata tat ggt cca gcg gat tct gcc agc cgg ga #t ctg tgg gtt aac ata     1277 Ile Tyr Gly Pro Ala Asp Ser Ala Ser Arg As #p Leu Trp Val Asn Ile 120                 1 #25                 1 #30                 1 #35 gac caa atg gaa aaa gac aaa gtg aag att ca #c ggg ata ctt tcc aac     1325 Asp Gln Met Glu Lys Asp Lys Val Lys Ile Hi #s Gly Ile Leu Ser Asn                 140   #               145   #               150 act cat cgg caa gct gca aga gtg aat ctg tc #c ttc gat ttt cca ttt     1373 Thr His Arg Gln Ala Ala Arg Val Asn Leu Se #r Phe Asp Phe Pro Phe             155       #           160       #           165 tat ggt cat ttt cta aat gaa gtc act gtg gc #a act ggg ggt ttc ata     1421 Tyr Gly His Phe Leu Asn Glu Val Thr Val Al #a Thr Gly Gly Phe Ile         170           #       175           #       180 tat act gga gaa gtt gta cat cga atg ctc ac #a gct aca cag tat ata     1469 Tyr Thr Gly Glu Val Val His Arg Met Leu Th #r Ala Thr Gln Tyr Ile     185               #   190               #   195 gct cct tta atg gca aat ttt gat ccc agt gt #a tcc aga aat tca act     1517 Ala Pro Leu Met Ala Asn Phe Asp Pro Ser Va #l Ser Arg Asn Ser Thr 200                 2 #05                 2 #10                 2 #15 gtc aga tat ttt gat aat ggc aca gct ctt gt #t gtc cag tgg gac cat     1565 Val Arg Tyr Phe Asp Asn Gly Thr Ala Leu Va #l Val Gln Trp Asp His                 220   #               225   #               230 gtc cac ctg cag gat aat tac aac ctg gga ag #c ttc aca ttc cag gcc     1613 Val His Leu Gln Asp Asn Tyr Asn Leu Gly Se #r Phe Thr Phe Gln Ala             235       #           240       #           245 aca ctc ctc atg gac ggg cgc atc atc ttt gg #a tac aaa gaa atc cct     1661 Thr Leu Leu Met Asp Gly Arg Ile Ile Phe Gl #y Tyr Lys Glu Ile Pro         250           #       255           #       260 gtc ttg gtc aca cag ata agt tct acc aac ca #t cca gtg aaa gtc ggg     1709 Val Leu Val Thr Gln Ile Ser Ser Thr Asn Hi #s Pro Val Lys Val Gly     265               #   270               #   275 ttg tct gat gca ttt gtc gtg gtc cac agg at #c cag caa ata ccc aat     1757 Leu Ser Asp Ala Phe Val Val Val His Arg Il #e Gln Gln Ile Pro Asn 280                 2 #85                 2 #90                 2 #95 gtt cga aga aga aca att tat gaa tat cac cg #a gta gaa cta caa atg     1805 Val Arg Arg Arg Thr Ile Tyr Glu Tyr His Ar #g Val Glu Leu Gln Met                 300   #               305   #               310 tcc aaa att acc aac atc tca gct gtg gag at #g act cca ctt ccc aca     1853 Ser Lys Ile Thr Asn Ile Ser Ala Val Glu Me #t Thr Pro Leu Pro Thr             315       #           320       #           325 tgt ctc cag ttc aat ggt tgt ggc cct tgt gt #g tcc tcg cag att ggt     1901 Cys Leu Gln Phe Asn Gly Cys Gly Pro Cys Va #l Ser Ser Gln Ile Gly         330           #       335           #       340 ttc aac tgc agt tgg tgc agc aaa ctt caa ag #a tgc tcc agt gga ttt     1949 Phe Asn Cys Ser Trp Cys Ser Lys Leu Gln Ar #g Cys Ser Ser Gly Phe     345               #   350               #   355 gat cgc cat cgg cag gac tgg gtg gac agt gg #a tgc ccg gaa gag gta     1997 Asp Arg His Arg Gln Asp Trp Val Asp Ser Gl #y Cys Pro Glu Glu Val 360                 3 #65                 3 #70                 3 #75 cag tca aaa gag aag atg tgt gag aag aca ga #g cca gga gag aca tct     2045 Gln Ser Lys Glu Lys Met Cys Glu Lys Thr Gl #u Pro Gly Glu Thr Ser                 380   #               385   #               390 caa act acc acg acc tcc cac acg acc acc at #g caa ttc agg gtc ctg     2093 Gln Thr Thr Thr Thr Ser His Thr Thr Thr Me #t Gln Phe Arg Val Leu             395       #           400       #           405 acc acc acc agg aga gct gtg aca tct cag at #g cct acc agc ctg cct     2141 Thr Thr Thr Arg Arg Ala Val Thr Ser Gln Me #t Pro Thr Ser Leu Pro         410           #       415           #       420 aca gaa gat gac acg aag ata gcc cta cat ct #c aaa gac agt gga gcc     2189 Thr Glu Asp Asp Thr Lys Ile Ala Leu His Le #u Lys Asp Ser Gly Ala     425               #   430               #   435 tcc aca gat gac agt gca gct gag aag aaa gg #a gga acc ctc cat gca     2237 Ser Thr Asp Asp Ser Ala Ala Glu Lys Lys Gl #y Gly Thr Leu His Ala 440                 4 #45                 4 #50                 4 #55 ggc ctc att gtt gga att ctc atc ttg gtc ct #c att ata gca gcg gcc     2285 Gly Leu Ile Val Gly Ile Leu Ile Leu Val Le #u Ile Ile Ala Ala Ala                 460   #               465   #               470 att ctg gtg aca gtg tat atg tat cac cat cc #a aca tca gca gcc agc     2333 Ile Leu Val Thr Val Tyr Met Tyr His His Pr #o Thr Ser Ala Ala Ser             475       #           480       #           485 atc ttc ttc att gag aga cgc cca agc aga tg #g cca gca atg aag ttt     2381 Ile Phe Phe Ile Glu Arg Arg Pro Ser Arg Tr #p Pro Ala Met Lys Phe         490           #       495           #       500 cga aga ggc tca gga cac cct gcc tat gca ga #a gtt gaa cca gtt gga     2429 Arg Arg Gly Ser Gly His Pro Ala Tyr Ala Gl #u Val Glu Pro Val Gly     505               #   510               #   515 gag aaa gaa ggt ttt att gta tca gag cag tg #c taa aattttagga          2475 Glu Lys Glu Gly Phe Ile Val Ser Glu Gln Cy #s 520                 5 #25                 5 #30 cagagcagca ccagtactgg cttacaggtg ttaagactaa aacttactgc tg #tagacaga   2535 agggcgacga gatttctgga caagcccagc ccaggaacat tgaaaggaaa ac #tcagactt   2595 gtacaagaca ccatgtacaa tgattaaaga attccctagt ggaatgacat cc #atggttca   2655 caaggaacat ctccggtgga cttgccagga gtgtgacgag atgacgatgc tt #ttggttta   2715 ggtgcagggt tgcaaagaaa tcaaggaaaa aaaatatgac aataaataaa gc #tttagttc   2775 acaagggatc ggcaaaaaaa aa            #                   #               2797 <210> SEQ ID NO 38 <211> LENGTH: 530 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Mouse <400> SEQUENCE: 38 Met Ala Arg Phe Arg Arg Ala Asp Leu Ala Al #a Ala Gly Val Met Leu 1               5    #                10   #                15 Leu Cys His Phe Leu Thr Asp Arg Phe Gln Ph #e Ala His Gly Glu Pro             20       #            25       #            30 Gly His His Thr Asn Asp Trp Ile Tyr Glu Va #l Thr Asn Ala Phe Pro         35           #        40           #        45 Trp Asn Glu Glu Gly Val Glu Val Asp Ser Gl #n Ala Tyr Asn His Arg     50               #    55               #    60 Trp Lys Arg Asn Val Asp Pro Phe Lys Ala Va #l Asp Thr Asn Arg Ala 65                   #70                   #75                   #80 Ser Met Gly Gln Ala Ser Pro Glu Ser Lys Gl #y Phe Thr Asp Leu Leu                 85   #                90   #                95 Leu Asp Asp Gly Gln Asp Asn Asn Thr Gln Il #e Glu Glu Asp Thr Asp             100       #           105       #           110 His Asn Tyr Tyr Ile Ser Arg Ile Tyr Gly Pr #o Ala Asp Ser Ala Ser         115           #       120           #       125 Arg Asp Leu Trp Val Asn Ile Asp Gln Met Gl #u Lys Asp Lys Val Lys     130               #   135               #   140 Ile His Gly Ile Leu Ser Asn Thr His Arg Gl #n Ala Ala Arg Val Asn 145                 1 #50                 1 #55                 1 #60 Leu Ser Phe Asp Phe Pro Phe Tyr Gly His Ph #e Leu Asn Glu Val Thr                 165   #               170   #               175 Val Ala Thr Gly Gly Phe Ile Tyr Thr Gly Gl #u Val Val His Arg Met             180       #           185       #           190 Leu Thr Ala Thr Gln Tyr Ile Ala Pro Leu Me #t Ala Asn Phe Asp Pro         195           #       200           #       205 Ser Val Ser Arg Asn Ser Thr Val Arg Tyr Ph #e Asp Asn Gly Thr Ala     210               #   215               #   220 Leu Val Val Gln Trp Asp His Val His Leu Gl #n Asp Asn Tyr Asn Leu 225                 2 #30                 2 #35                 2 #40 Gly Ser Phe Thr Phe Gln Ala Thr Leu Leu Me #t Asp Gly Arg Ile Ile                 245   #               250   #               255 Phe Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ile Pro Val Leu Val Th #r Gln Ile Ser Ser Thr             260       #           265       #           270 Asn His Pro Val Lys Val Gly Leu Ser Asp Al #a Phe Val Val Val His         275           #       280           #       285 Arg Ile Gln Gln Ile Pro Asn Val Arg Arg Ar #g Thr Ile Tyr Glu Tyr     290               #   295               #   300 His Arg Val Glu Leu Gln Met Ser Lys Ile Th #r Asn Ile Ser Ala Val 305                 3 #10                 3 #15                 3 #20 Glu Met Thr Pro Leu Pro Thr Cys Leu Gln Ph #e Asn Gly Cys Gly Pro                 325   #               330   #               335 Cys Val Ser Ser Gln Ile Gly Phe Asn Cys Se #r Trp Cys Ser Lys Leu             340       #           345       #           350 Gln Arg Cys Ser Ser Gly Phe Asp Arg His Ar #g Gln Asp Trp Val Asp         355           #       360           #       365 Ser Gly Cys Pro Glu Glu Val Gln Ser Lys Gl #u Lys Met Cys Glu Lys     370               #   375               #   380 Thr Glu Pro Gly Glu Thr Ser Gln Thr Thr Th #r Thr Ser His Thr Thr 385                 3 #90                 3 #95                 4 #00 Thr Met Gln Phe Arg Val Leu Thr Thr Thr Ar #g Arg Ala Val Thr Ser                 405   #               410   #               415 Gln Met Pro Thr Ser Leu Pro Thr Glu Asp As #p Thr Lys Ile Ala Leu             420       #           425       #           430 His Leu Lys Asp Ser Gly Ala Ser Thr Asp As #p Ser Ala Ala Glu Lys         435           #       440           #       445 Lys Gly Gly Thr Leu His Ala Gly Leu Ile Va #l Gly Ile Leu Ile Leu     450               #   455               #   460 Val Leu Ile Ile Ala Ala Ala Ile Leu Val Th #r Val Tyr Met Tyr His 465                 4 #70                 4 #75                 4 #80 His Pro Thr Ser Ala Ala Ser Ile Phe Phe Il #e Glu Arg Arg Pro Ser                 485   #               490   #               495 Arg Trp Pro Ala Met Lys Phe Arg Arg Gly Se #r Gly His Pro Ala Tyr             500       #           505       #           510 Ala Glu Val Glu Pro Val Gly Glu Lys Glu Gl #y Phe Ile Val Ser Glu         515           #       520           #       525 Gln Cys     530 <210> SEQ ID NO 39 <211> LENGTH: 2508 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (596)..(2185) <400> SEQUENCE: 39 cctccggctg cgagaaagga cgcgcgccct gcgtcgggcg aagaaaagaa gc #aaaacttg     60 tcgggagggt ttcgtcatca acctccttcc cgcaaaccta aacctcctgc cg #gggccatc    120 cctagacaga ggaaagttcc tgcagagccg accagcccta gtggatctgg gg #caggcagc    180 ggcgctggct gtggaattag atctgttttg aacccagtgg agcgcatcgc tg #gggctcgg    240 aagtcaccgt ccgcgggcac cgggttggcg ctgcccgagt ggaaccgaca gt #ttgcgagc    300 ctcggctgca agtggcctct cctccccgcg gttgttgttc agtgtcgggt ga #gggctgcg    360 agtgtggcaa gttgcaaaga gagcctcaga ggtccgaaga gcgctgcgct cc #tactcgcg    420 ttcgcttctt cctcttctcg gttccctact gtgaaatcgc agcgacattt ac #aaaggcct    480 ccgggtccta ccgagaccga tccgcagcgt ttggcccggt cgcgcctatt gc #atcgggag    540 cccccgagca ccggcgaagg actggcgggt ggggtaggga ggtggcggcg gc #ggc atg     598                    #                   #                   #       Met                    #                   #                   #       1 gcg agg ttc ccg aag gcc gac ctg gcc gct gc #a gga gtt atg tta ctt      646 Ala Arg Phe Pro Lys Ala Asp Leu Ala Ala Al #a Gly Val Met Leu Leu             5       #             10      #             15 tgc cac ttc ttc acg gac cag ttt cag ttc gc #c gat ggg aaa ccc gga      694 Cys His Phe Phe Thr Asp Gln Phe Gln Phe Al #a Asp Gly Lys Pro Gly         20           #        25           #        30 gac caa atc ctt gat tgg cag tat gga gtt ac #t cag gcc ttc cct cac      742 Asp Gln Ile Leu Asp Trp Gln Tyr Gly Val Th #r Gln Ala Phe Pro His     35               #    40               #    45 aca gag gag gag gtg gaa gtt gat tca cac gc #g tac agc cac agg tgg      790 Thr Glu Glu Glu Val Glu Val Asp Ser His Al #a Tyr Ser His Arg Trp 50                   #55                   #60                   #65 aaa aga aac ttg gac ttt ctc aag gcg gta ga #c acg aac cga gca agc      838 Lys Arg Asn Leu Asp Phe Leu Lys Ala Val As #p Thr Asn Arg Ala Ser                 70   #                75   #                80 gtc ggc caa gac tct cct gag ccc aga agc tt #c aca gac ctg ctg ctg      886 Val Gly Gln Asp Ser Pro Glu Pro Arg Ser Ph #e Thr Asp Leu Leu Leu             85       #            90       #            95 gat gat ggg cag gac aat aac act cag atc ga #g gag gat aca gac cac      934 Asp Asp Gly Gln Asp Asn Asn Thr Gln Ile Gl #u Glu Asp Thr Asp His         100           #       105           #       110 aat tac tat ata tct cga ata tat ggt cca tc #t gat tct gcc agc cgg      982 Asn Tyr Tyr Ile Ser Arg Ile Tyr Gly Pro Se #r Asp Ser Ala Ser Arg     115               #   120               #   125 gat tta tgg gtg aac ata gac caa atg gaa aa #a gat aaa gtg aag att     1030 Asp Leu Trp Val Asn Ile Asp Gln Met Glu Ly #s Asp Lys Val Lys Ile 130                 1 #35                 1 #40                 1 #45 cat gga ata ttg tcc aat act cat cgg caa gc #t gca aga gtg aat ctg     1078 His Gly Ile Leu Ser Asn Thr His Arg Gln Al #a Ala Arg Val Asn Leu                 150   #               155   #               160 tcc ttc gat ttt cca ttt tat ggc cac ttc ct #a cgt gaa atc act gtg     1126 Ser Phe Asp Phe Pro Phe Tyr Gly His Phe Le #u Arg Glu Ile Thr Val             165       #           170       #           175 gca acc ggg ggt ttc ata tac act gga gaa gt #c gta cat cga atg cta     1174 Ala Thr Gly Gly Phe Ile Tyr Thr Gly Glu Va #l Val His Arg Met Leu         180           #       185           #       190 aca gcc aca cag tac ata gca cct tta atg gc #a aat ttc gat ccc agt     1222 Thr Ala Thr Gln Tyr Ile Ala Pro Leu Met Al #a Asn Phe Asp Pro Ser     195               #   200               #   205 gta tcc aga aat tca act gtc aga tat ttt ga #t aat ggc aca gca ctt     1270 Val Ser Arg Asn Ser Thr Val Arg Tyr Phe As #p Asn Gly Thr Ala Leu 210                 2 #15                 2 #20                 2 #25 gtg gtc cag tgg gac cat gta cat ctc cag ga #t aat tat aac ctg gga     1318 Val Val Gln Trp Asp His Val His Leu Gln As #p Asn Tyr Asn Leu Gly                 230   #               235   #               240 agc ttc aca ttc cag gca acc ctg ctc atg ga #t gga cga atc atc ttt     1366 Ser Phe Thr Phe Gln Ala Thr Leu Leu Met As #p Gly Arg Ile Ile Phe             245       #           250       #           255 gga tac aaa gaa att cct gtc ttg gtc aca ca #g ata agt tca acc aat     1414 Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ile Pro Val Leu Val Thr Gl #n Ile Ser Ser Thr Asn         260           #       265           #       270 cat cca gtg aaa gtc gga ctg tcc gat gca tt #t gtc gtt gtc cac agg     1462 His Pro Val Lys Val Gly Leu Ser Asp Ala Ph #e Val Val Val His Arg     275               #   280               #   285 atc caa caa att ccc aat gtt cga aga aga ac #a att tat gaa tac cac     1510 Ile Gln Gln Ile Pro Asn Val Arg Arg Arg Th #r Ile Tyr Glu Tyr His 290                 2 #95                 3 #00                 3 #05 cga gta gag cta caa atg tca aaa att acc aa #c att tcg gct gtg gag     1558 Arg Val Glu Leu Gln Met Ser Lys Ile Thr As #n Ile Ser Ala Val Glu                 310   #               315   #               320 atg acc cca tta ccc aca tgc ctc cag ttt aa #c aga tgt ggc ccc tgt     1606 Met Thr Pro Leu Pro Thr Cys Leu Gln Phe As #n Arg Cys Gly Pro Cys             325       #           330       #           335 gta tct tct cag att ggc ttc aac tgc agt tg #g tgt agt aaa ctt caa     1654 Val Ser Ser Gln Ile Gly Phe Asn Cys Ser Tr #p Cys Ser Lys Leu Gln         340           #       345           #       350 aga tgt tcc agt gga ttt gat cgt cat cgg ca #g gac tgg gtg gac agt     1702 Arg Cys Ser Ser Gly Phe Asp Arg His Arg Gl #n Asp Trp Val Asp Ser     355               #   360               #   365 gga tgc cct gaa gag tca aaa gag aag atg tg #t gag aat aca gaa cca     1750 Gly Cys Pro Glu Glu Ser Lys Glu Lys Met Cy #s Glu Asn Thr Glu Pro 370                 3 #75                 3 #80                 3 #85 gtg gaa act tct tct cga acc acc aca acc gt #a gga gcg aca acc acc     1798 Val Glu Thr Ser Ser Arg Thr Thr Thr Thr Va #l Gly Ala Thr Thr Thr                 390   #               395   #               400 cag ttc agg gtc cta act acc acc aga aga gc #a gtg act tct cag ttt     1846 Gln Phe Arg Val Leu Thr Thr Thr Arg Arg Al #a Val Thr Ser Gln Phe             405       #           410       #           415 ccc acc agc ctc cct aca gaa gat gat acc aa #g ata gca cta cat cta     1894 Pro Thr Ser Leu Pro Thr Glu Asp Asp Thr Ly #s Ile Ala Leu His Leu         420           #       425           #       430 aaa gat aat gga gct tct aca gat gac agt gc #a gct gag aag aaa ggg     1942 Lys Asp Asn Gly Ala Ser Thr Asp Asp Ser Al #a Ala Glu Lys Lys Gly     435               #   440               #   445 gga acc ctc cac gct ggc ctc atc gtt gga at #c ctc atc ctg gtc ctc     1990 Gly Thr Leu His Ala Gly Leu Ile Val Gly Il #e Leu Ile Leu Val Leu 450                 4 #55                 4 #60                 4 #65 att gta gcc aca gcc att ctt gtg aca gtc ta #t atg tat cac cac cca     2038 Ile Val Ala Thr Ala Ile Leu Val Thr Val Ty #r Met Tyr His His Pro                 470   #               475   #               480 aca tca gca gcc agc atc ttc ttt att gag ag #a cgc cca agc aga tgg     2086 Thr Ser Ala Ala Ser Ile Phe Phe Ile Glu Ar #g Arg Pro Ser Arg Trp             485       #           490       #           495 cct gcg atg aag ttt aga aga ggc tct gga ca #t cct gcc tat gct gaa     2134 Pro Ala Met Lys Phe Arg Arg Gly Ser Gly Hi #s Pro Ala Tyr Ala Glu         500           #       505           #       510 gtt gaa cca gtt gga gag aaa gaa ggc ttt at #t gta tca gag cag tgc     2182 Val Glu Pro Val Gly Glu Lys Glu Gly Phe Il #e Val Ser Glu Gln Cys     515               #   520               #   525 taa aatttctagg acagaacaac accagtactg gtttacaggt gttaagact #a          2235 aaattttgcc tataccttta agacaaacaa acaaacacac acacaaacaa gc #tctaagct   2295 gctgtagcct gaagaagaca agatttctgg acaagctcag cccaggaaac aa #agggtaaa   2355 caaaaaacta aaacttatac aagataccat ttacactgaa catagaattc cc #tagtggaa   2415 tgtcatctat agttcactcg gaacatctcc cgtggactta tctgaagtat ga #caagatta   2475 taatgctttt ggcttaggtg cagggttgca aag        #                   #       2508 <210> SEQ ID NO 40 <211> LENGTH: 529 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 40 Met Ala Arg Phe Pro Lys Ala Asp Leu Ala Al #a Ala Gly Val Met Leu 1               5    #                10   #                15 Leu Cys His Phe Phe Thr Asp Gln Phe Gln Ph #e Ala Asp Gly Lys Pro             20       #            25       #            30 Gly Asp Gln Ile Leu Asp Trp Gln Tyr Gly Va #l Thr Gln Ala Phe Pro         35           #        40           #        45 His Thr Glu Glu Glu Val Glu Val Asp Ser Hi #s Ala Tyr Ser His Arg     50               #    55               #    60 Trp Lys Arg Asn Leu Asp Phe Leu Lys Ala Va #l Asp Thr Asn Arg Ala 65                   #70                   #75                   #80 Ser Val Gly Gln Asp Ser Pro Glu Pro Arg Se #r Phe Thr Asp Leu Leu                 85   #                90   #                95 Leu Asp Asp Gly Gln Asp Asn Asn Thr Gln Il #e Glu Glu Asp Thr Asp             100       #           105       #           110 His Asn Tyr Tyr Ile Ser Arg Ile Tyr Gly Pr #o Ser Asp Ser Ala Ser         115           #       120           #       125 Arg Asp Leu Trp Val Asn Ile Asp Gln Met Gl #u Lys Asp Lys Val Lys     130               #   135               #   140 Ile His Gly Ile Leu Ser Asn Thr His Arg Gl #n Ala Ala Arg Val Asn 145                 1 #50                 1 #55                 1 #60 Leu Ser Phe Asp Phe Pro Phe Tyr Gly His Ph #e Leu Arg Glu Ile Thr                 165   #               170   #               175 Val Ala Thr Gly Gly Phe Ile Tyr Thr Gly Gl #u Val Val His Arg Met             180       #           185       #           190 Leu Thr Ala Thr Gln Tyr Ile Ala Pro Leu Me #t Ala Asn Phe Asp Pro         195           #       200           #       205 Ser Val Ser Arg Asn Ser Thr Val Arg Tyr Ph #e Asp Asn Gly Thr Ala     210               #   215               #   220 Leu Val Val Gln Trp Asp His Val His Leu Gl #n Asp Asn Tyr Asn Leu 225                 2 #30                 2 #35                 2 #40 Gly Ser Phe Thr Phe Gln Ala Thr Leu Leu Me #t Asp Gly Arg Ile Ile                 245   #               250   #               255 Phe Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ile Pro Val Leu Val Th #r Gln Ile Ser Ser Thr             260       #           265       #           270 Asn His Pro Val Lys Val Gly Leu Ser Asp Al #a Phe Val Val Val His         275           #       280           #       285 Arg Ile Gln Gln Ile Pro Asn Val Arg Arg Ar #g Thr Ile Tyr Glu Tyr     290               #   295               #   300 His Arg Val Glu Leu Gln Met Ser Lys Ile Th #r Asn Ile Ser Ala Val 305                 3 #10                 3 #15                 3 #20 Glu Met Thr Pro Leu Pro Thr Cys Leu Gln Ph #e Asn Arg Cys Gly Pro                 325   #               330   #               335 Cys Val Ser Ser Gln Ile Gly Phe Asn Cys Se #r Trp Cys Ser Lys Leu             340       #           345       #           350 Gln Arg Cys Ser Ser Gly Phe Asp Arg His Ar #g Gln Asp Trp Val Asp         355           #       360           #       365 Ser Gly Cys Pro Glu Glu Ser Lys Glu Lys Me #t Cys Glu Asn Thr Glu     370               #   375               #   380 Pro Val Glu Thr Ser Ser Arg Thr Thr Thr Th #r Val Gly Ala Thr Thr 385                 3 #90                 3 #95                 4 #00 Thr Gln Phe Arg Val Leu Thr Thr Thr Arg Ar #g Ala Val Thr Ser Gln                 405   #               410   #               415 Phe Pro Thr Ser Leu Pro Thr Glu Asp Asp Th #r Lys Ile Ala Leu His             420       #           425       #           430 Leu Lys Asp Asn Gly Ala Ser Thr Asp Asp Se #r Ala Ala Glu Lys Lys         435           #       440           #       445 Gly Gly Thr Leu His Ala Gly Leu Ile Val Gl #y Ile Leu Ile Leu Val     450               #   455               #   460 Leu Ile Val Ala Thr Ala Ile Leu Val Thr Va #l Tyr Met Tyr His His 465                 4 #70                 4 #75                 4 #80 Pro Thr Ser Ala Ala Ser Ile Phe Phe Ile Gl #u Arg Arg Pro Ser Arg                 485   #               490   #               495 Trp Pro Ala Met Lys Phe Arg Arg Gly Ser Gl #y His Pro Ala Tyr Ala             500       #           505       #           510 Glu Val Glu Pro Val Gly Glu Lys Glu Gly Ph #e Ile Val Ser Glu Gln         515           #       520           #       525 Cys <210> SEQ ID NO 41 <211> LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: primer #2728F <400> SEQUENCE: 41 agcaaatacc caatgttcga a            #                   #                   #21 <210> SEQ ID NO 42 <211> LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: primer #2728R <400> SEQUENCE: 42 agatgtcaca gctctcctgg t            #                   #                   #21 <210> SEQ ID NO 43 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: primer <400> SEQUENCE: 43 taatacgact cactataggg             #                   #                   # 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 44 <211> LENGTH: 26 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: primer <400> SEQUENCE: 44 ctcgggaagc gcgccattgt gttggt           #                   #              26 <210> SEQ ID NO 45 <211> LENGTH: 30 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: primer #2728RACE1 <400> SEQUENCE: 45 aactggaacc ggtctgttaa aaagtgacaa          #                   #           30 <210> SEQ ID NO 46 <211> LENGTH: 17 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: primer M13 Reverse <400> SEQUENCE: 46 caggaaacag ctatgac              #                   #                   #   17 <210> SEQ ID NO 47 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: primer <400> SEQUENCE: 47 gattttaggt gacactatag             #                   #                   # 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 48 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: primer H2728F <400> SEQUENCE: 48 cattcctccg gctgcgagaa agga           #                   #                24 <210> SEQ ID NO 49 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: primer H2728R <400> SEQUENCE: 49 atttctttgc aaccctgcac ctaa           #                   #                24 <210> SEQ ID NO 50 <211> LENGTH: 38 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: primer  m2780orfF <400> SEQUENCE: 50 ccgctcgagc caccatggca aggttccgga gggccgac       #                   #     38 <210> SEQ ID NO 51 <211> LENGTH: 28 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: primer m2728orfR <400> SEQUENCE: 51 cggaattctt attggttcac tctgtctg          #                   #             28 <210> SEQ ID NO 52 <211> LENGTH: 38 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: primer h2728orfF <400> SEQUENCE: 52 ccgctcgagc caccatggcg aggttcccga aggccgac       #                   #     38 <210> SEQ ID NO 53 <211> LENGTH: 33 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: primer h2728orfR <400> SEQUENCE: 53 ccggaattct tagcactgct ctgatacaat aaa        #                   #         33 

We claim:
 1. An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 28, 31, 34, or 40, the mature protein portion of said polypeptide, or the extracellular portion of said polypeptide.
 2. A composition comprising the polypeptide of claim 1 and a carrier.
 3. A kit comprising the polypeptide of claim
 1. 4. An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide which hybridizes to the complement of the protein coding portion of SEQ ID NO: 27, 33 or 39 under stringent conditions, wherein said conditions are hybridization to filter-bound DNA in 0.5 M NaHPO₄, 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 1 mM EDTA at 65° C., and washing in 0.1×/0.1% SDS at 68° C., wherein the polypeptide exhibits stem cell growth factor activity.
 5. An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 28, 31, 34 or 40, wherein the polypeptide exhibits stem cell growth factor activity.
 6. A polypeptide of any one of claims 4 or 5 that stimulates stem cell proliferation.
 7. A polypeptide of any one of claims 4 or 5 that stimulates stem cell differentiation. 